The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

6 THE PHONOSCOPE. November, 1896. I TLhc pbonograpb K -P The Edison Home Phonograph After patiently waiting for a number of months, we may say years, the patrons of the Phonograph will be pleased to learn that Mr. Edison has constructed a light, serviceable, practical Phonograph, that can be purchased for a nominal figure. The people interested in this machine have been buoyed along on promises, that have at last been fulfilled. If "a good thing is worth waiting for," the Edison Home Phonograph was worth waiting for, as it is "a good thing." In the "New Home" model the Edison people have built a machine that practically gives the same results as their standard type, but which sells for less than half the money. This machine should please the most fastidious, and meet with a ready sale, as none of the superior qualities of the standard Phonograph have been dispensed with. The machine is substantially built of iron, brass and steel, and finished in black enamel and gilt. The top casting is about the same size and design as the standard machine, with the exception that it is much lighter, all unnecessary heavy parts being dispensed with. The diaphragm arm, mandrel, swinging arm, etc., are practically the same as in the standard type. The back rod is a little smaller, being about % of an inch thick. The machine is supplied with a very ingenious device for shaving cylinders, and is equipped with either the standard or automatic diaphragm, which guarantees the same results in recording and reproducing as in the higher price machine. The straight edge that the diaphragm arm rests upon, is a part of the casting. To dispense with all extra frictiou, a small wheel is attached to the diaphragm arm, rolling on the straight edge when the carriage is in motion. There is one feed nut instead of two. The power is derived from a clock work motor, which furnishes sufficient force to record or reproduce two and a half cylinders from one winding. The starting device and speed regulator are combined in one switch, which, on being moved to the left, starts the machine at a slow speed, that can be increased by moving the switch further in the same direction. The machine is encased in an oak body box, which has a cover of the same material upon which is inscribed in red and gold, "The Edison Home Phonograph." The total weight of the machine, case and all, is 19Mi pounds. IT be /Ifoetapbone The Metaphone is the very latest talking machine. It is a very simple device for reproducing Phonograph or Graphophone cylinders. The machine proper is built on a hard wood Hard, 7 inches wide, by 10V& inches long, upon ' 'Inch an upright casting 4 inches high is fastened, supporting on one end a clock work Rotor, and a wooden mandrel on the other. The mandrel is revolved by means of a silk thread passed over a groove at one end of it, BSd attached to the main pulley of the motor, which with one winding has sufficient power to reproduce one record. v friction governor Is provided In the shape of a break, acting on the main pulley, and can Ik: regulated by means of a thumb screw. The sound is transmitted from the cylinder by means of a glass tube about 8 inches long, restling lightly on the revolving cylinder. The end of the glass tube which rests on the cylinder, is blown in the shape of a Phonograph or Graphophone stylus, the other end is attached to a peculiarly constructed diaphragm of wood and rubber. This simple device gives a really wonderful reproduction. It is made to retail at $5. %\ Ibuitfl Cbano entertatnefc witb Zbc phonograph. During Li Hung Chang's visit to the Niagara Falls, Col. Gouraud, a friend of Mr. Edison's, tendered him a reception at the Cataract House. This was where Li had his first experience with the phonograph. Col. Gouraud entertained the Viceroy by reproducing a number of interesting cylinders, chief among which was a cylinder whereon Mrs. Grant and some of her children had spoken. This greatly interested Li, as Gen. Grant had been a great friend of his. A speech pertaining to China and its industries had been prepared, which was reproduced in English to the Viceroy's first secretary, who spoke it in Chinese to the phonograph. When this cylinder was reproduced, Li was greatly surprised, and for a moment lost the plastic indifference that has characterized his actions during his visit to this country. He was extremely interested and expressed a desire that the machine be taken to pieces that he might be shown its "inner workings." The greatest hit of the evening, however, was scored when Po Ping sang a Chinese song to the machine, and then his countrymen and himself heard it reproduced. Po Ping was so delighted that he capered and applauded his effort like a little boy. Colonel Gouraud made a little speech at the end of the reception. He mentioned what had been done by Edison in the interests of science and towards aiding the progress of our great nation. Lord Li replied for his father, the First Secretary of the Embassy translated the speech. The Viceroy expressed his pleasure at the surprises he had experienced during the day and paid high compliment to the inventive genius of Americans. The following day Col. Gouraud presented Li with a phonograph cylinder, upon which was recorded the following matter in Chinese: "The phonograph's salaam to His Imperial Excellency, the Viceroy, Special Ambassador from China. The latest bora of Americau genius bends its knee of steel and bows its neck of iron in respectful salutation to the eminent soldier and statesman who has honored America by visiting it. The phonograph sleeps not. Neither does it drink or eat, yet tires not. Seeing nothing, it hears all things; once hearing, forgets not, and with unerring truth preserves through all the ages its exhaustless treasures of word and song, rendering again throughout eternity from its incomparable treasure the priceless words of immortal man. This soulless body, through the hand of its creator— Edison— whose rare genius is the pride of his country, surrenders itself into the gracious hands of the favored Envoy of His Imperial Majesty of China, and begs that it may be so much honored as to be permitted to accompany His Excellency throughout the remainder of his remarkable journey around the world, carrying as it does within itself ever responsive to the signal of its new and imperial master, the voices of some of America's most distinguished sons, and, above all, the voices of the venerable widow and much-loved children of America's greatest and most lamented soldier, Grant, to whose memory it has pleased His Excellency to pay a tribute of affection and regard so tender and so impressive as to cause the hearts of seventy millions of freemen to vibrate in silent and respectful sympathy. (In reference to the above we think it only fair to let our readers know another version, as related to us by a disinterested party who was present at this "much talked about" exhibition. Li Hung Chang had expressed a desire to meet Mr. Edison, but the modest "wizard" of Orange is no hero-worshipper, and therefore did not think the invitation important enough to interrupt his stay in the hills by the side of his wife and family. Nor did he send a representative. Col. Gouraud ran down to Niagara Falls on his own account with two Graphophones, but when he got there, found that he could not operate them. In his trouble he appealed to Mr. Gibson, of the Ely Phonograph Company of Niagara, offering him $50 for the use of a Phonograph. Mr. Gibson went with Col. Gauraud to Li and showed him the workings of the Phonograph. Next day Li wanted to see the Phonograph again, and it cost Col. Gauraud another $15 before Mr. Gibson would take his Phonograph before Li a second time. There was some trouble over the payment of the $15, but it was finally settled by Col. Gauraud's son. Sapienti sat. Ed.) 1bo\v to IReep Uour IRecorbs in <5oob donation. Nothing is richer in startling surprises than the business connected with the phonograph and graphophone. Having occasion once to pay a visit to a phonograph company in Louisville, Ky., I came across an extraordinary case of innocence or stupidity. I could not believe my senses, when I found the young man in charge of the office coolly breathing on some phonograph cylinders, and rubbing them with his coat sleeve. He assured me unabashed that this was the only way to "clean" cylinders that had become dirty in the slot machines. No wonder the public complained about dull sounds and indistinct reproductions. It is a source of regret to note the hundreds of cylinders that are ruined through the posessor's inability or thoughtlessness to keep them in good condition. The phonograph or graphophone cylinder is a peculiar article, inasmuch as it is susceptive of the minutest cut by the recording stylus, yet strong enough to resist almost any degree of temperature and to withstand a great amount of rough usage. But some exhibitors, whom the public are supposed to look to for the best results, considerably injure the reputation of the instrument by publicly reproducing records that they have exposed to dirt and dust, which causes them to give very poor results, which are generally attributed to the machine and never to the operator. This is not just, keep your records in good condition and educate the public up to the possibilities of the machine rather than disappoint them through want of care, attention and precaution. How is this to be done? Keep your records in good condition, and when they wear out, as they will in time, replace them with new ones. Keep your records in air-tight boxes of tiu or wood, and when not in use be sure to keep them covered. If possible, do not reproduce your records in the open air. Keep your reproducing point clean by wiping it occasionally with a bit of cotton dipped in alcohol. Do not keep your records wrapped up; anything constantly resting against the surface of a cylinder injures it. Always brush your record carefully before reproducing it, but do not use a brush, as brushes, no matter how fine, leave an impression on the wax, which eventually develops into a roughness that is distinctly audible in the reproduction. The best way to brush a cylinder is to use a piece of sheet-cotton wadding, which has been previously split to expose the soft side and then frayed at one end in the form of a brush. Always brush your cylinders at right angles (the same way as the impression runs), and do not brush cylinders length ways. Never touch your records on the outside surface under any circumstances with auything other than the soft cotton mentioned above. The most important point in keeping your records in good condition is to know when they are worn out and to use judgment in not attributing the poor reproduction of an old record to your diaphragm or machine.