The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

This undated notebook was used by Edison, probably during February 1916, for notes on the composition and application of varnish surfaces used for disc records. Included are notes describing a sequence of experiments numbered from 186E to 271E; the entries for experiments 263E-270E have been crossed out, and some earlier entries are marked "cancelled." Some experiments involve disc records returned to the factory because of cracks. Other entries indicate the results obtained from varying the ingredients and proportions in the varnish applied, as well as varying the heat and the processes for baking, cooling, and dipping. The summary of results usually provides a tally of acceptable and unacceptable record surfaces obtained. Some of the notes are in the form of instructions to Sherwood T. (Sam) Moore, Ludwig F. (Louis) Ott, or other employees. Inserted into the book are several loose items by Edison, including a table generalizing the results of some of the experiments between 190E and 227E. The front cover is labeled "Disc 5." The pages are unnumbered. Approximately 130 pages have been used.