The Victor-Victrola Page 
Design Details: External Horn Models
A few details on some of the design features of Victor phonographs. Each sequential page covers one aspect of the evolving designs.
External Horn Models:
Cabinet design
features:
Top-winding. The earliest Victor phonographs used a top winding crank, wherein the winding key (crank) actually spun above the turntable. This design limited the size of playable records, and was also inconvenient to use. Note: prior to the creation of the Victor Talking Machine Company, Eldridge Johnson (Victor's founder) marketed some phonographs that used a lever-arm to wind the spring. This arm was pumped in a ratchet-style system. (Photograph at right shows tonearm/horn in the "record-change" position)
Side Winding. Around 1901, Victor converted to a more practical side-winding design, wherein the crank is attached to the side of the cabinet. A huge variety of different machines were produced using this design, which are covered under the individual model listings (see Home Page). Some were plain, while others used elaborate carvings and/or figuration.
"Hump-Back" When Victor transitioned from the integral horn/tonearm design to the newer rigid arm (and later taper arm) design, the rear of some cabinets were "beefed-up" with additional wood to provide adequate support for the heavier horn support, and the design is often called a "hump back" cabinet. Note: blanking plates were used on some cabinets when Victor transitioned from the integral horn design to the rigid or taper arm configuration. These plates were used to cover the mounting holes in older cabinets, or during the period of transition when both designs were available. The blanking plates typically appear as in the picture below. Some variations in plate designs and/or wording are common.
