Phonograph Floats

Floats celebrating the Phonograph

Doug Boilesen, 2021

This gallery displays phonograph related floats and associated ephemera.

The Edison Float, Harper's Weekly, October 1892

This float was part of New York City's Columbian Celebration night parade of October 12 celebrating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Although there were no phonographs on this entirely illuminated float titled "Electra" the New York Times called it "the most dazzling of the lot. "It bore the name and the head in papier maché of Edison."

The electric eye dragons on the front of this float as electric dragons with green eyes were a feature Edison would later supply to his kinetoscope parlor operators.

Edison's first Kinetoscope Parlor was opened in New York City on April 14, 1894 at 1155 Broadway, New York City and its parlor included electric eye dragons on its interior walls.

 

"A Gorgeous Spectacle," The New York Times, October 13, 1892, p. 1

June 14, 1907 'The Oranges" New Jersey celebrated its Centennial Day.

The Edison Phonograph Monthly, July 1907

Chalon-sur-Saône Phonograph Float, 1910 postcard (PM-2046)

Fourth of July Parade, The Talking Machine World, September, 1911

The Edison Phonograph Monthly, August 1912

The "Old Couple" Labor Day Parade float, The Edison Phonograph Monthly, December 1912

The Old Couple, Edison advertising postcard ca. 1906 (PM-0194)

"Watermelon Day" parade, Webster City, Iowa - October 5, 1909

The Edison Phonograph Monthly, December 1909

The Edison Phonograph Monthly, November 1914

The Edison Float that took first prize at the Harvest Festival, Aurora, Neb., was quite an elaborate affair, yet simple in design. Unfortunately the picture does not do it justice. The platform was built on an automobile. The young lady standing on the top holding in her right hand an Edison Disc Record represented the "Goddess of Liberty." The mammoth Eagle in the automobile ahead, was supported by iron rods. Silk ribbons of gay colors were held in the Goddess's left hand and reached to the eagle's bill, to indicate that the Goddess was being led by the eagle and thus the float moved imaginary in its flight. On the inside of the float was an A200 Disc Machine operated by a third person unseen. The selections chosen were such as to arouse much favorable comment and the disc was kept playing throughout the entire parade — something quite novel at Aurora. On the rear of the float was a small boy dressed up as Uncle Sam and a placard beside him with the words "Uncle Sam says the Edison -Disc is the best Talking Machine made." Ibid. p. 189.

To our enterprising dealer C. E. Nair at Aurora was due the credit of originating and carrying out this novel exhibition of the Edison Disc. It received first prize in the whole line of displays and was most favorably commented on for its design and its music. As an advertising stunt it certainly did secure much attention.

Newark, Ohio Labor Day Parade

The Edison Phonograph Monthly, January 1916

"THE NEW EDISON PHONOGRAPH" on a wheeled platform (parade float), ca. 1920's. Photo by "Fred Hess & Son, Atlantic City" (note Hippdrome sign in back).

The UPS Store, Inc.,float, winner of the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade Sweepstakes Award, Pasadena, Calif., January 1, 2019

(Courtesy AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

Another angle of the UPS Store, Inc. float with Gramophone leading the way - Courtesy of Pasadena Star-News