Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > June 2003 > 2003.06.28 > 03Prev  Next


Composition of Recording Wax
By Tom Lear

Hi All,  I had always wondered why the term "wax" referring to records
had persisted, when they have been made from various forms of plastic
for the last 90 years or so.

I found a lot of information on the history of recording materials
from "brown wax-like substance" to hard rubber vulcanite, shellac,
celluloid, Condensite (similar to Bakelite), acetate coated shellac,
"Vitrolac" vinyl plastic, cellulose acetate, Vinylite, and polystyrene.

As far as I know, the animal and plant sources of true wax, like
beeswax, carnauba wax, paraffin, (from petroleum, but started out as
plants), in the natural state, being too soft,  could not possibly be
used for recording purposes.

Could it be that one of these waxes was mixed with, say, fine clay, or
something similar to get the desired hardness that would be required?
If so, then maybe this would explain the reference to wax as used with
reference to the earliest Edison Cylinders?.

If someone can elucidate, I will no longer have to lay awake nights
wondering about it.

Thanks for any information you can supply.

Tom Lear
San Francisco, CA

 [ What was "Amberol"?  -- Robbie


(Message sent Sat 28 Jun 2003, 14:01:44 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Composition, Recording, Wax

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page