In short
Emile Berliner patented the gramophone in 1887, a device that played flat disc records instead of the cylindrical wax rolls that dominated the phonograph market. This invention eventually displaced Edison's phonograph technology and became the foundation for the modern record industry. Berliner's flat disc format proved cheaper to manufacture, easier to distribute, and more practical for mass production—advantages that would define audio technology for the next century.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Berliner Gramophone was an American record label which was the first and for nearly ten years the only disc record label in the world. Its records were played on Emile Berliner's invention, the Gramophone, which competed with the wax cylinder–playing phonographs that were more common in the 1890s and could record. Its discs were identified with an etched-in "E. Berliner's Gramophone" as the logo.
As it was happening
12 voices, 4852 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Gramophone patent filed
Emile Berliner files patent for the gramophone in Germany, describing a playback device using flat lateral-cut discs.
Voices from this moment (3)
Synthesized from period accounts - Berliner's patent specifications and technical presentations, 1887-1888
Nov 8
“The disc record is superior to the cylinder - it can be…”
Synthesized from period accounts - Krupp's industrial correspondence and public remarks, 1887-1889
Dec 1
“German ingenuity has produced yet another marvel.”
Gramophone patent filed
Sep 19
“Emile Berliner files patent for the gramophone in Germany,…”
As it was happening
12 voices, 4852 days.
Day 0 · September 19, 1887
Gramophone patent filed
Emile Berliner files patent for the gramophone in Germany, describing a playback device using flat lateral-cut discs.
“The disc record is superior to the cylinder - it can be…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Berliner's patent specifications and technical presentations, 1887-1888, Nov 8
“German ingenuity has produced yet another marvel.”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Krupp's industrial correspondence and public remarks, 1887-1889, Dec 1
“Emile Berliner files patent for the gramophone in Germany,…”
- Gramophone patent filed, Sep 19
Day 104 · January 1, 1888
U.S. patent application
Berliner files gramophone patent application in the United States, seeking protection for his disc record technology.
“Berliner's disc may impress laboratory visitors, but it…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Edison's public statements to trade press, 1887-1890, Mar 15
“We have secured exclusive rights to manufacture and…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Gramophone Company board minutes and trade announcements, 1887-1889, Jun 20
“The tinny, distorted reproduction of Herr Berliner's…”
- Pall Mall Gazette music review, 1888, Sep 12
“Berliner files gramophone patent application in the United…”
- U.S. patent application, Jan 1
Day 781 · November 8, 1889
U.S. patent granted
U.S. Patent No. 372,786 issued to Emile Berliner for the gramophone, establishing his priority claim to the flat disc format.
“U.”
- U.S. patent granted, Nov 8
Day 835 · January 1, 1890
Commercial gramophone production begins
Berliner moves toward commercialization of the gramophone, establishing manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe.
“Berliner moves toward commercialization of the gramophone,…”
- Commercial gramophone production begins, Jan 1
Day 2296 · January 1, 1894
Berliner Gramophone Company founded
Berliner establishes his record label in Philadelphia, beginning production of prerecorded discs for commercial sale.
“Berliner establishes his record label in Philadelphia,…”
- Berliner Gramophone Company founded, Jan 1
Day 3026 · January 1, 1896
Gramophone monopoly established
Berliner's gramophone holds near-exclusive rights to disc record technology; cylinder phonographs remain the consumer standard but face increasing competition.
“Berliner's gramophone holds near-exclusive rights to disc…”
- Gramophone monopoly established, Jan 1
Day 4852 · January 1, 1901
Victor Talking Machine Company acquires Berliner patents
Victor, founded by Eldridge Johnson, acquires Berliner's gramophone patents and brand, accelerating disc format adoption.
“Victor, founded by Eldridge Johnson, acquires Berliner's…”
- Victor Talking Machine Company acquires Berliner patents, Jan 1
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Berliner Gramophone
en.wikipedia.org