I inherited my grandparents' Phonola phonograph from the Elmira Ontario area. It's painted nameplate says, "Phonola, registered July 11, 1907" In a different spot is a metal tag that says, "Chippendale" and another that says "Phonola Co of Canada, LTD"
In the beginner section, (which applies to me) I read a list of manufacturers and found Phonola started in chicago in 1916. This leads me to believe this company started in Canada where the patents of the big 3 were not being enforced, and then moved to Chicago or opened a branch there in 1916. What do you think?