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Antique Dictating Machines
The Office Museum, n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- A history of office dictating machines, from Edison's 1878 list of phonograph uses through the Graphophone and the Dictaphone trademark. It cites dated advertisements and trade sources for its claims.
- How much weight it carries
- An independent museum site with a detailed, dated history and references to period advertisements. It is a secondary source, so the dates should be checked against the originals for a formal citation.
Facts taken from this source
- Graphophone dictating machines began to use the Dictaphone trademark around 1907, and in any case by 1908.
“Around 1907 (in any case by 1908), Graphophone dictating machines began to use the Dictaphone trademark.” (Antique Dictating Machines page, section on the Graphophone)
- In 1878, Thomas Edison listed ten uses for the phonograph, and letter writing with dictation was at the top of the list.
“In 1878, Edison listed ten uses for the phonograph. At the top of the list was "Letter writing and all kinds of dictation without the aid of a stenographer."” (Antique Dictating Machines page, opening section)
- Neither Graphophones nor Edison Phonographs sold well for office use in the late 1880s or early 1890s.
“neither Graphophones nor Edison Phonographs sold well for office use in the late 1880s or early 1890s.” (Section on Graphophone and Edison machines in offices)