Amet Echophone (Edison Echophone).



This article is part of the ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH, GRAMOPHONE AND TALKING MACHINE IDENTIFICATION GUIDES.
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Edward Amet of Waukegan, Illinois is perhaps best remembered for his efforts around 1892 to develop a workable spring motor for the phonograph, which up to that time had been powered by cumbersome means such as wet cells, but this primitive little inexpensive cylinder machine ($5-$10) of 1896 held the potential of excellent sales. A stylus was formed at the tip of the one piece pivoting glass rod, which rested upon a wood and rubber reproducer. Unfortunately, Amet was sued by the Graphophone company and relatively few Echophones were sold. Some examples are marked "Edison Echophone," an appropriation of his name which did not sit well with the Wizard of Menlo Park.

Amet Echophone
Amet Echophone.The glass rod is not in playing position. Larger image		Echophone rear view
The wooden mandrel. Larger image
Echophone in case
The Echophone contained in its carrying case. Larger image		Echophone reproducer
Detail of the ingenious reproducer assembly. Larger image