National Gramophone Company
874 Broadway New York City, N.Y.

Emile Berliner's National Gramophone Company brought disc records to the US. They distributed Berliner gramophones & discs made in Philadelphia & Washington labs. They even partnered with a NJ machine shop for spring-motor gramophones. Despite a fire setback in 1897, the company thrived, leading to Berliner Gramophone branches opening in London (1898) and other countries. However, internal conflicts and illegal competitors led to the company's demise in 1900. Although Berliner was ousted, his disc format prevailed, paving the way for the modern record industry. 

Emile Berliner's Disc Recording Journey: A Trail of Trials and Triumphs

Emile Berliner (1851-1929), the inventor of the gramophone, embarked on a fascinating journey filled with experimentation and innovation. Unlike Thomas Edison's cylinder-based phonograph, Berliner envisioned capturing sound on flat discs. This path, though ultimately successful, wasn't without its challenges.

Early Attempts: From Photoengraving to Etching

Berliner's initial forays involved replicating sound waves directly on a disc. He drew inspiration from Leon Scott's phonautograph, which translated sound vibrations into visual recordings on blackened glass. Berliner attempted to replicate this process on a more durable material, first using photo engraving on a glass disc. He was unaware that a French inventor, Charles Cros, had already theorized about sound recording and reproduction in 1877, but never pursued it. Unfortunately, photoengraving proved problematic for Berliner.

He then shifted gears to an etching process. He experimented with various materials, finally settling on zinc discs coated with a beeswax and cold gasoline mixture. This mixture could be scratched by a stylus attached to a vibrating mica diaphragm, replicating the sound waves in the form of grooves. The process then involved coating the back of the disc with varnish and immersing it in an acid bath. The acid etched the grooves permanently into the zinc, allowing for sound reproduction when played on a turntable with a steel stylus.

However, this early method had two drawbacks:

• Separate Machines: Unlike cylinder machines that could record and play back, Berliner's initial system required two separate devices – one for recording (etching the zinc) and another for playback (playing the etched disc).
• Master Replication: Berliner had to find a way to create copies of the master zinc recording. He achieved this by electroplating the zinc to create a "negative" with raised grooves. This negative could then be used to stamp positive copies in a suitable material.

Finding the Right Material: A Material Odyssey

The quest for the perfect material to press positive copies from the negative proved to be another hurdle. Berliner experimented with various substances like plaster of Paris and sealing wax, with disappointing results. Finally, he saw promise in a new material called celluloid. He contacted the inventor, J.W. Hyatt, who initially seemed confident about its suitability. However, celluloid quickly revealed its weakness – it couldn't withstand the pressure of repeated playing with heavy needles and tonearms. This setback forced Berliner to abandon celluloid, making early celluloid Berliner discs rare collectors' items today.

The search continued, leading Berliner to hard rubber manufacturers. While the specific company remains unknown, evidence suggests he contacted the India Rubber Comb Company of Newark, New Jersey. This time, the heat-treated hard rubber proved successful. It could be used to stamp positive copies from the zinc negative, paving the way for mass production of Berliner's disc recordings.

The National Gramophone Company: A Berliner Gramophone Offshoot with a Global Reach

The National Gramophone Company, established in 1896 by Emile Berliner, played a pivotal role in bringing the Berliner gramophone and its disc recordings to the American market. Here's a closer look at its history, including the international expansion that mirrored Berliner's vision:

Distribution Powerhouse and International Expansion:

• Berliner, having secured patents for his disc technology, licensed production to businessmen in Philadelphia who formed the Berliner Gramophone Company.
• Recognizing the need for a dedicated distribution arm, Berliner established the National Gramophone Company in New York City.
• National Gramophone took charge of distributing Berliner gramophones (the record players) and discs across the United States.
  • They received recordings and stampers (used for pressing discs) from Berliner's labs in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
  • They contracted Eldridge R. Johnson's machine shop in Camden, New Jersey, to manufacture Berliner gramophones equipped with spring motors.

Early Setbacks and Global Expansion:

The company faced a major hurdle in 1897 when a fire ravaged Berliner's Washington lab. This resulted in the loss of numerous unpressed zinc masters (recordings) and production equipment.

• Despite the setback, National Gramophone persevered, and by the late 1890s, the Berliner disc's popularity surged. This international appeal led to a significant development:
  • Opening the Berliner Gramophone Company in London (1898): Recognizing the global potential of his invention, Berliner sent William Barry Owen of the National Gramophone Company to England. With backing from English businessmen, they established the Berliner Gramophone Company of London in April 1898. This wasn't an isolated event.
  • Global Berliner Network: Following the London branch, Berliner established similar companies in other major European countries like Germany (with Joseph Sanders and Fred Gaisberg) and France, along with Canada (led by Berliner's sons Herbert and Edgar).

Internal Conflict and Downfall:

• The promising future took a sharp turn in 1900 due to internal conflicts and external competition.
• National Gramophone faced increasing competition from companies illegally replicating Berliner's discs. Legal battles ensued, but these weren't the company's biggest threat.
• A more significant blow came from within. Two key executives at National Gramophone, Frank Seaman and O.D. LaDow, formed a rival company called Zonophone, utilizing Berliner's technology for their own discs and machines.
• This act of betrayal sparked a legal battle, culminating in a court injunction that shut down the Berliner Gramophone Company in 1900. Berliner, caught in the legal crossfire, was effectively ousted from the industry he revolutionized.

Legacy: A Stepping Stone for the Future:

• Despite its short-lived existence, the National Gramophone Company played a crucial role in establishing the Berliner disc as the dominant format in the early days of recorded sound.
• While Berliner was forced out, his legacy lived on. Eldridge R. Johnson, the machine shop owner who supplied National Gramophone, continued the Berliner legacy.
• Johnson formed the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1900, which became a major force in the record industry, utilizing Berliner's disc technology.
• Berliner's lateral-cut disc format ultimately triumphed over Thomas Edison's vertical-cut cylinder, paving the way for the record industry as we know it.
• The National Gramophone Company's story highlights the challenges and complexities of early inventions. While Berliner's technology won the format war, internal conflicts and legal battles hampered his direct involvement in the industry's long-term success. However, his vision for global distribution, evident in the opening of the London branch, helped solidify the dominance of the disc record format.

US Library of Congress, Emile Berliner & the Birth of the Recording Industry, Essay ” The Gramophone”.