1918 Edison Phonograph - The Coon 'Possum Hunt by Golden & Heins (Politically-Incorrect Language)

This is a vaudeville Sketch recorded in 1918 by Billy Golden & Billy Heins. Bill Golden worked with many vaudeville partners including John Merritt, Frank Merritt, Billy Draiton, May Golden (his wife), Joe Hughes. He recorded as a solo artist and also with many partners including Arthur Collins, George Graham, Jim Marlowe, Billy Heins, and his vaudeville partner, Joe Hughes.

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The 1918 Edison Model C150 is an 80 RPM Phonograph that sold for $175 in 1918. That is today's equivalent of approximately $4000. 18,000 of these phonographs were manufactured.
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In 1918, Thomas Edison's phonograph technology had evolved significantly since its initial invention in 1877. By 1918, Edison had established the Edison Phonograph Company, which was a leading manufacturer of phonographs and phonograph records. Here are some key points about the Edison phonograph in 1918:

1. Phonograph Models: Edison offered a range of phonograph models in 1918, catering to different preferences and budgets. These models included tabletop models and floor-standing models, with variations in design and features.

2. Cylinder Records: Edison's phonographs primarily used cylindrical records made of wax. These records were played vertically, with a needle tracing the grooves on the side of the cylinder. Each cylinder typically contained a single song or performance.

3. Diamond Disc: In 1912, Edison introduced the Diamond Disc record format, which used a different technology. These records were made of a harder material than the wax cylinders, and they played laterally (the needle moved across the surface of the record). The Diamond Disc format was known for its high-quality sound.

4. Acoustic Technology: In 1918, phonographs were purely acoustic devices. They didn't have electric amplification; sound was produced purely mechanically through a horn or speaker. The quality of sound largely depended on the design and materials used.

5. Popularity: Edison's phonographs were quite popular in the early 20th century and were used in homes for entertainment. They played a significant role in bringing music and spoken word recordings into people's homes.

6. Competition: In 1918, Edison faced stiff competition from other phonograph manufacturers, such as Victor Talking Machine Company (which later became part of RCA Victor), Columbia Records, and others. The competition led to innovation and the introduction of new features and technologies.

7. Decline: Despite its early success, Edison's phonograph technology eventually faced challenges from the more popular disc-based record systems, such as the 78 RPM records used by competitors like Victor and Columbia. The decline of the cylinder format and Edison's reluctance to switch to discs contributed to the decline of Edison's phonograph business.

8. By the late 1920s, Edison's phonograph business had significantly declined, and the company shifted its focus to other technologies. The disc-based record players became the dominant format for recorded music, leading to the eventual demise of the cylinder-based phonograph.

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