The
Phonograph's Birthday Anniversary Parties
A small group of friends
and family have celebrated the Phonograph's birthday on December 6th
since 1977 (inspired by the phonograph's 100th birthday). For an explanation
of this date, see Why December 6th?
which includes a summary of some related dates and examples of later
first day covers honoring its invention.
In the 1980's an Oakland-Emeryville-Berkeley
group of friends(1) took the
event to a new level, celebrating its birthday with food and artistry
inspired by the phonograph. Creations such as cakes and cookies shaped
like phonograph records, phonograph inspired pottery and glass records,
a tapestry and needlepoint sampler, and other unique presentations
highlighted those birthday parties.
Over the years phonograph
birthday venues and menus have varied. But Friends of the Phonograph
faithfully remember the day and hopefully they will always include
a "Happy Birthday to the Phonograph" on December 6 wherever they are.
Doug
and James, circa 1979
Sampler
for 1981 Birthday Party
Besides the traditional
alphabet, Kathy Aiken's sampler features the first four lines of the
nursery rhymn "Mary Had a Little Lamb", said to be the first words
spoken by Edison's tin-foil Phonograph on December 6, 1877.
The
Sign for 1988 Birthday Party
This wooden sign was
created by two charter members of the original Friends of Phonography.
Despite a revision to the name this sign continues to be annually
hung at Friends of the Phonograph birthday parties. Thanks
Debbie and Joellen for your artistic work!
"Edison
as a Boy" Artwork by DK for 1989
Birthday Party
Victor
record for 1990
Phonograph Birthday
Axel and Betty Boilesen
presented a framed Victor record of James Whitcomb Riley reciting
his poem "Out to Old Aunt Mary's" for the 1990 Birthday
party. You can listen to Harry E. Humphrey performing Riley's poem
on an Edison Blue
Amberol record 2539 released in March 1915. Humphrey's voice is
much clearer than the Victor record made by Riley who was declining
and would pass in 1916.
2006
Phonograph Birthday Cake
Every
Birthday - A Celebration
With
morning-glory horn in hand the message "Remember the Phonograph!"
was trumpeted on the Black Rock Desert in 1990.
In the
twenty-first century it's a revolution still turning.
The
Edison Phonograph Birthday Party Photo Album
Birthday
Party 1986
Birthday
Party 1987
Birthday
Party 1988
Birthday
Party 1989
Birthday
Party 1990
Birthday
Party 1991
Birthday
Party 1992
Birthday
Party 2004
Birthday
Party 2005
Birthday
Party 2006
Birthday
Party 2007
Birthday
Party 2008
Birthday
Party 2009
Birthday
Party 2010
Birthday
Party 2012
Birthday
Party 2019
Birthday
Party 2021
The original "Friends"
sign is still hung outside our house each December 6th. Inside,
the Phonograph Holiday Tree is annually displayed.
Phonograph
Jingles (1907)
When
the day is cold and dreary,
When
the day is warm and cheery,
When
you want a hearty laugh,
Remember
the Edison Phonograph.
The
"Wizard" has invented many things;
But
my favorite invention is the one that sings.
It
can also talk and whistle and laugh --
This
wonderful Edison Phonograph.
Washington Evening
Star jingle competition entry as reported by the Edison Phonograph
Monthly, December 1907
Friends of the Phonograph 
