Edison Concert Polyphone 1899 Edison
Concert Phonograph
with Polyphone attachment

The Polyphone attachment was the invention of Chicago businessmen Leon Douglass and Henry Babson, both giants in the early phonograph industry. The Polyphone was patented by Douglass in 1890 as a method of increasing volume. The idea was simple: using 2 reproducers set approx. 1/2" apart running in the same groove would effectively double the volume. This solution is effective. Of course one result is twice the wear on the early soft brown wax Concert cylinders.

1899 Edison
Concert Phonograph
with Polyphone attachment

Closeup of the original Polyphone attachment.

The Polyphone attachment, 2-24" horns, stand were offered at $15. By 1902 the Polyphone was obsolete with the introduction of standard sized Gold-Moulded cylinder records.

Edison Concert Poly
Edison Concert Poly 1899 Edison
Concert Phonograph
with Polyphone attachment

Polyphone with horns attached.

1899 Edison
Concert Phonograph
with Polyphone attachment

Another view.

Edison Concert Poly