In the 1800's it seemed as if Thomas Edison was pioneering inventions in nearly every major scientific category. Edison's highlight inventions consist of some pretty major contributions to human society including the light bulb, movie camera & the first Phonograph (record player). Due to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in New Jersey, nearly every item of significance from Edison is secured in the elaborate exhibit and on public display. Offered here is a museum quality offering of a letter with significant scientific content from Edison to another legendary scientist, Fred Ott. Fred Ott would serve as a lab assistant to Edison in the 1890's & is credited as being the first human ever recorded on video, called "Fred Ott's Sneeze." Written entirely in Edison's hand in pencil to Ott & reads in full:
"Work on condensing oils, gums and things of like nature with concentrated sulphuric with and without heat,to get solid products, when you get a product make 3 or 4 oz. and put in bottle and save mark it and enter the experiment in lab book - On my return I will use when in Condensation with other things for phono record - also try Concentrated (very) Chloride Zinc, this acts like H2SO4 somewhat as a condensing Agt. TAE."
According to our research the lab note serves as an attempt to create a medium that sound could be recorded & played back on, something that was unnamed at this point, but would become the record or LP! Edison, as the inventor of the Phonograph in 1877, would look into a way to make his incredible machine more affordable by incorporating a "Disc" playback system rather than a cylinder system, which in literal sense is laid out in the note as the "Phono-Record." It would take Edison until the 1910's to produce his finished product, which was named the "Edison Disc." With all the given knowledge & the transformation of music into a disc format which lasted nearly 70 years until digital formats, this serves as a very historical offering to any history or music collector. Overall the 6" x 9" note stands in fine condition with minor surface impressions, slight tears & is affixed to a cardboard backing for additional support. To date and to our knowledge, this serves as the first public offering with direct scientific content & equations to be offered to the public, as most notes are to former business partners & not scientists. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from the experts at PSA/DNA.