Lambert cylinders were the second to be made of celluloid, after Lioret cylinders. While Lioret had a European patent on the use of celluloid, Lambert was able to patent and sell celluloid cylinders in the United States. These patents kept Edison from adopting celluloid, although he sued unsuccessfully for several years to overturn them. Lioret sold their European patent rights to Lambert in 1902. Edison's aggressive lawsuits contributed to Lambert's bankruptcy in 1906. Lambert's bankruptcy opened the door for Edison, who introduced celluloid Blue Amberol records in 1912.

Lambert cylinders were dyed pink. The dye purportedly reduced surface noise. Eventually Lambert cylinders were dyed black for an even greater noise reduction and to match other cylinders on the market.

Lamberts were two-minute cylinders and were playable on Edison phonographs (one reason for Edison's hostile reaction). Lambert also sold a 5-inch diameter cylinder similar to those manufactured by Edison, Columbia and Pathe. For a short time in 1905, Lambert made a 6 inch long cylinder like the Columbia Twentieth Century.