HISTORY
The Standard Talking Machine Company was a significant entity in the early 20th-century American phonograph and record industry.
Founded in October 1901, the company operated until March 1918. It was based in Chicago, Illinois, and was known for distributing several models of phonographs, which were made from parts supplied by the Columbia Graphophone Company.
One of their notable products was the Standard Model A phonograph, which was sold from 1908 to 1920. This model was built by Columbia and featured a distinctive spindle size that was designed to only accommodate Standard records.
The company also functioned as a mail-order record label under the name Standard Disc Records. This label was operational from 1904 to 1916 and was managed by Robert Johns. The records produced by Standard had a unique characteristic – they featured a 1/2-inch wide spindle hole, making them compatible only with the large-spindled phonographs produced by the Standard Talking Machine Company itself. This design choice was likely an attempt to create a unique market for their products, although by 1916, the company could no longer compete with other major mail-order record companies.
Standard Talking Machine Co.
Chicago (IL) / USA
MODELS
Standard Model A
Introduced around 1909, this model was part of a promotional scheme where customers could collect coupons from local merchants to purchase the machine at a reduced cost. It featured an oversized quarter-inch spindle, limiting its use to special Standard records.
Standard Model L
Similar to the Standard Model H but with a single spring motor, the Standard Model L was another Columbia derivative distributed by the Great Northern Manufacturing Company. It was notable for its ornate design features.
Standard Model X
Introduced around 1904, the Standard X was a premium machine given away to stimulate business. It had a simple and inexpensive motor and was compatible only with Standard records due to its quarter-inch spindle. The tone arm and support arm were made by Columbia.
Standard Model H
This model was fancier and larger than the Standard X and A. It used a double spring motor, which made it more expensive than its siblings.
