The
Phonograph's Birthday Parties
FOTP
Photo Album for December
6th
December
6 is
a Friends of the Phonograph Red-Letter Day!
The
Phonograph's Birthday 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-Berkeley1
group
of friends 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.
See the Photo
Album for Phonograph Parties for year specific parties.
Also the Phonographia
calendar entry for
December 6 for a few more details and illustrations related to
December 6 at Menlo Park, New Jersey.
James
and Doug, circa 1979.
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.
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
Birthday
Party 2024
The original "Friends"
sign is still hung outside our house each December 6th. Inside,
the Phonograph Holiday Tree is annually displayed.
A
Few Highlights from Past Phonograph Birthday Parties
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 and his 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 Joey for your artistic work!
The original "Friends"
sign is still hung outside our house each December 6th. Inside,
the Phonograph Holiday Tree is annually displayed.
"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
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.
Phonographia