Part Of: Notebook Series -- Notebooks by Edison

[NA255-F] N-14-10-04 (1914)

This notebook was used during the period October-November 1914. It is the fourth of a four-book series, preceded by N-14-09-30. The entries, which are by Edison and an unidentified experimenter, pertain to the Condensite varnish surfaces applied to disc record blanks during the transfer and printing process. Entries toward the beginning of the book describe experiments relating to the ingredients and chemical reactions involved in making different varnish compounds. Among the subjects of Edison's experiments are varnishes containing varying amounts of phenol, alcohol, "para" (paraphenylenediamine), "penta" (penatchloraphenol), "6/4" (hexamethylene tetramine), phenylhydrazine, and other compounds. Archie D. Hoffman and Frederick Ott assisted him in these experiments. Other groups of experiments involved resin from the African sandarac tree and the synthesis of phenol (in short supply because of the wartime naval blockade against Germany) from benzol. At the end of the book is a four-page table by an unidentified experimenter summarizing the manufacture and condition of records made with varying amounts of 6/4 solution and varnishes from different numbered lots. Inserted into the book are several loose pages of notes by Edison pertaining to experimental varnishes made with dammar, a botanical resin. Another page contains a drawing of distillation apparatus, possibly by Jonas Walter Aylsworth. The front cover is labeled "Disc 4 Records." The pages are unnumbered. Approximately 60 pages have been used.

Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

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