Emile Berliner (d. 1929)

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Biography

Emile Berliner was a German-American inventor and businessman who invented the lateral-cut flat disc record, also known as a "gramophone record," used with a gramophone. He founded the United States Gramophone Company in 1894;

Timeline

The story of Emile Berliner, told in moments.

1851 Birth

Born Emil Berliner in Hanover, Germany, into a Jewish merchant family. Emigrated to the U.S. in 1870 to avoid the Franco-Prussian War draft. Arrived with almost nothing.

What was it like arriving in Washington with nothing? Did you plan to be an inventor?

1877 Event

Invented an improved telephone transmitter. Alexander Graham Bell's company bought the patent. It was the microphone technology that made the telephone practical for everyday use.

How did you improve on Bell's telephone at 26? Was the sale satisfying or did you feel you gave it away?

1887 Event

Patented the gramophone and the flat disc record. Edison's cylinder was the dominant format. Berliner's disc was cheaper to manufacture and easier to store. The disc won.

What made you bet on flat discs over Edison's cylinders? Did Edison take you seriously?

1894 Event

Founded the United States Gramophone Company. The flat record format he invented became the standard for the entire recording industry for the next century.

Did you know the flat record would become the standard for a century? What drove you to found a company?

Artifacts (15)

Adeline Genée in her solo from 'Die Rose von Schiras'

Avery, Claire

1908

vam View

Adeline Genée in her solo from 'Die Rose von Schiras'

Avery, Claire

1908

vam View

H Beard Print Collection

Hecht

ca. mid 19th century

vam View

Dr Emil Ludwig London Correspondent Berliner Tageblatt

Rudolf and Minya Dührkoop

ca. 1908 - 1911

vam View

The Poet Head

Rudolf and Minya Dührkoop

ca. 1908 - 1911

vam View

Süd-italienische Fliesen-Ornamente, nach Originalaufnahmen. Hrsg. von J. E. Jacobsthal

Jacobsthal, Emil

1886

vam View

mesmerizing, harrowing, lucid, and bleary

ite, presenting some of Young's most original work. A review of the 2003 re-release on CD of On the Beach described the music as "mesmerizing, harrowing, lucid, and bleary". After completing On the...

Works Talk

on the same level with Dylan in my eyes.

me. Young said Phil Ochs was "a big influence on me", telling a radio station in 1969 that Ochs was "on the same level with Dylan in my eyes." Here he wrote some of his earliest and most enduring folk...

Works Talk

wanted to play folk music in a rock band

control. Stills continued throughout their lifelong relationship to criticize Young, saying that he "wanted to play folk music in a rock band". Young wrote "Ohio" following the Kent State massacre on...

Works Talk

The Gramophone: Etching the Human Voice

1888

Works Read Talk

Tile Matting: Its Uses and Advantages

1899

Works Read Talk

The gramophone, by its inventor

1909

Works Read Talk

The Outbreak of Typhoid Fever in Cassel During 1909; Infected Milk the Cause

1909

Works Read Talk

The Inadequacy of Milk

1909

Works Read Talk

Three Addresses

1913

Speeches Read Talk

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