Thomas Alva Edison, of course, invented Talking Machines. This is an early development of the original tin foil player.

They use fragile wax cylinders. The grooves make the stylus move in an up and down motion, (hill and dale), not side to side as in ordinary records.

The reproducer is moved along by a thread on the drive shaft, not by the record grooves. So it was not possible to make cylinders that would play any longer than the standard 2 minutes. This machine was made approx 1905.

A lot of players have been converted to play the later four minute cylinders, as well as the original two minute ones. This one has never been converted, it is all original.

The drive belt from the motor below the deck, up to the cylinder holder, is made of leather. Thomas Edison's signature is readily seen on the body of the player.