Dictaphone, Type A, c. 1924

The cylinder phonograph was first marketed as an office dictation machine in 1889, but after 1895 was developed primarily for entertainment. Specially designed business phonographs reappeared in 1906 and in 1908 the Dictaphone Co. was reorganised as a subsidiary of the Columbia Gramapone Co. to manufacture these instruments. Until the advent of electrical recording, the device's basic principle was the same as the was cylinder phonograph, but steady progress was made to ensure ease and reliability of operation.

The cylinder phonograph survived in this form long after it had ceased to be used for entertainment. This example dates from around 1924.