Three circular records in printed paper sleeves. In the center of the record the name of the song and artist is printed along with the name of the recording company. Records are by George Formby, Bing Crosby and Gene Autry.
In 1888 the first rubber disc was invented by Emile Berliner. In 1894 25 000 records were sold. In 1896 it is discovered that shellac discs worked better than rubber discs. In 1909 the term album was first used as a 4 double sided disc released reminded people of a photo album. In the 1940s vinyl replaces shellac as it was in short supply.
Fun fact: Shellac is secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes.
date: Early 20th Century
manufacturer: Columbia Gramophone, Australia
max dimension: 260mm
subject area: Social Science, Technology
specific themes: Music, Technology, Home, Sound, Invention
handling collection number: HC144/1-3
Why not get your hands on these: Gramophone HC58 http://www.handsontauranga.co.nz/hot-items/science/gramophone-hc58/