The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

s THE PHONOSCOPE. November, 1S96. TLhc ©ramopbone THK LATEST MODEL. The above cut represents one of the neatest, simplest and withal practical machines for reproducing sound, that has as yet come under our notice. It reproduces -with wonderful fidelity the sounds recorded on discs which here take the place of the cylinders, not only the human voice, whether in speech or song, hut also any other sounds, bands, orchestras, etc. It cannot record sound: this is done by means of a special machine. But the record plates or discs are to be had at such a low figure, and they are so durable that this is hardly to be considered a serious drawback. It is, therefore, quite correct to say that its field is practically without limit. The Gramophone is the invention of Mr. ^mile Berliner, whose name and fame as an iuventor are known wherever the Telephone is in use. It is entirely different from all the Cher Talking Machines so far in the market, and it embodies everything necessary to make it a universal favorite, as a child can work it, ■ ithout risk to itself or the machine or record. It is worked either by the old fashioned crank mdle, or a spring motor, and there seems to be no delicate mechanism to derange. It is built to stand rough handling and to last. The Gramophone records are made of hard rubber or other practically indestructible material. They are in the form of thin discs 7 inches in diameter, and can be transmitted by mail in safety; they can be freely handled, will wear almost indefinitely and are not at all sensitive to climatic changes. The price is so low as to bring it within the reach of all. £be {Ealfcino Machine Xitigation. SHspute between tbe Orapbopbone an& pbonograpb interests. An extensive and important litigation on the Phonograph, pending for quite a number of years, at length came to a hearing before Judge Greene at Trenton, N. J. There were two suits: 1 he American Graphophone Company, of Washington, D. C, being the plaiutitt in both. The Edison Phonograph 'Works was the defendant in one case, and the U. S. Phonograph Company in the other. The suits in both cases were brought on two patents, dated May 4, 1880, one issued to Ch. A. Bell & Sumner Taiuter, and the other to Mr. Tainter for what is now known as the Graphophone, and the claims which are involved cover the method of engraving the record of the sound waves on a cylinder or other tablet of wax-like composition. Mr. Edison brought out his first Phonograph in 1878. This machine he had been constantly improving and finally placed upon the market shortly after the Graphophone had been brought out These conflicting interests were successfully combined in the person of J. H. Lippincott, of New York, who organized a company that was incorporated as the North American Phonograph Company to introduce lioth the Phonograph and the Graphophone. Mr. Lippiucott subsequently failed and died. which caused a complicated tangle of litigation to follow. The Graphophone company claiming that failure and death of Mr. Lippincott left their patents to revert to them free and clear of any obligation, brought suit against the Edison Phonograph Works, and against various of the sub-companies of which the U. S. Phonograph Company is one. For a number of years the Washington corporation has been prosecuting alleged infringements of its patents, and the Edison interests, backed by Mr. Edison, have been as vigorously defending themselves from all assaults, and the first grand battle, succeeding numerous smaller skirmishes, came off at Trenton September last Unfortunately Judge Greene was taken suddenly ill and died without rendering a decision, and this will probably necessitate a rehearing of the entire case. The whole case seems to hinge, as stated by plaintiffs, on the mode of recording soundvibrations on a revolving cylinder: they alleging that they have an absolute claim on the incision or engraving process, which is totally different, so they say, from Edison's earlier indentures. They claim, broadly, a monopoly of all the methods of sound-recording which consist in engraving or cutting the record in a material of wax-like or amorphous nature. They maintain, moreover, that all rights to Lippincott terminated at his death, being of the nature of personal licenses, and that they could sustain their patents against the world. Mr. Dyer, who is Edison's personal counsel, having fought nearly all of that inventor's patents within the last ten years, presented the defendant's side of the case in a decidedly different light He eloquently set out the origin and development of the practical Phonograph by Mr. Edison, and dwelt at length on the numerous important improvements which Edison had brought out since 1889, which constituted all that was really valuable in the Phonograph of to-day, as well as in the Graphophone. He claimed that the Graphophone of Messrs. Bell and Tainter was a commercial failure; that the wax-like compositions of the Graphophone were utterly worthless, and that the present Edison cylinder of mineral soap was the important and necessary thing. He submitted testimony to show that Mr. Edison and others used the cutting or engraving method of making sound records long before the Bell and Tainter invention and pointed out many details of constructon which were necessary for success, and which were Mr. Edison's invention, embodied in the present instruments. Mr. Howard W. Hayes, Edison's chief counsel, and also a counsel for the U. S. Company, argued the second point of the defence. He claimed that all transfers and contracts made between Mr. Lippincott and the Graphophone Company were good and valid at law in spite of that gentleman's untimely demise. He argued that the American Graphophone Company stood silently by while the contracts were being made between Mr. Lippincott, Mr. Edison and the various sub-companies, and by this act gave its tacit consent to them. It was by reason of these contracts that a vast amount of money was invested by Mr. Edison and all of the companies. Mr. Hayes claimed it to be a good principle in law that a man that does not speak when he should, may not speak when he would. He also submitted a decision of Judge Carpenter, of Boston, in favor of Col. A. N. Sampson, of the New England Phonograph Company, which defence was a case of estoppel. The court room was filled with specimens and models of the different machines, including the ponderous affair of Edison's early construction, his latest improved Phonograph, and the various types and models of the Graphophone. A. W., Chicago, 111.— We are sorry to disappoint you, but we cannot print your letter. We are ready and willing to answer all legitimate inquiries in this department, but we cannot enter into any debate as to the comparative merits of the different talking machines. We propose in this journal to use our columns for the combined and general benefit of all talking machines, and not in the interest of any particular oue. Hnswers to ^ ~ Correspondents All questions pertaining to Talking Machines, Picture Projecting Inventions, Automatic Coin-in-Slot devices, Amusement Inventions, etc.; will be cheerfully and fully answered in this column. Inauiries for this department should be addressed — Information Department, The Phonoscope, 822 Broadway, New York, U. S. A. J* J* J* <£t <£t Jt Jt jt New Orleans. To the Editor of "The Phonoscope.'' Dear Sir. — In the prospective copy of your paper sent me, I noticed a column headed, "Answer to Correspondents." I should like to avail myself of the opportunity and ask you if you know anything about the new cylinder Mr. Edison is working on. I saw in the paper that he had a cylinder that would not wear out. Can you tell me anything about it? Yours truly, J. J. F. (We do not know of any such cylinder being manufactured by Mr. Edison. We are informed by competent authority that he has not entertained any ideas, or made experiments in this line. The present method of recording and reproducing would preclude any such cylinder as you mention being used.) Berlin, Germany. Editor "Phonoscope," New York. Dear Sir. — Many thanks for information in reference to your paper. I am sure that your journal will meet with a ready sale, as we people in the business have long felt the need of an impartial sheet that we could refer to for information. * * * Can you give me any particulars privately or through the columns of your journal, in reference to the new small Phonograph that is about to be put on the market? * * * J. N. (See full particulars this issue in another column.) Bangor, Maine. Editor "Phonoscope." Dear Sir. — In the specimen copy which you sent me, I notice a column heaaed, "Answer to Correspondents," will you kindly favor me? I am anxious to know if Mr. Edison has made any improvements on the Phonograph lately, and what Phonograph does the "New York World" refer to in enclosed clipping. Yours respectfully, A. N. A meeting has been arranged at Niagara Falls ou Monday between LI Hung Cbang and Edison. The latter will then show the Viceroy the first models of his improved Phonograph and new Telephone and present them to him. The Telephone Is one that dispenses with the use of an ear trumpet, and trausmits sound more clearly than at present. The Phonograph is a vast improvement on the Instrument now in vogue, and transmits sound perfectly to any distance. Li wishes the Wizard to go to China with him: evidently with the idea of introducing the Telephone there. (We do not know what Phonograph the above article refers to. Evidently the reporter who wrote this was a little "twisted" or his matter got so when it was set up.) Milwaukee, Wis. Dear Sir.— raper received, accept my thanks for same. Can you let me know what the chances are for an exhibitor in Europe, say France and Germany? I think 1 could do well, as I speak both languages, French and German. Yours, M. L. (Your inquiry is very indefinite, as you do not state what you want to exhibit. If it is the Phonograph or Graphophone, wo would say that a good Talking machine outfit conducted by a competent operator would be appreciated and patronized in any country. You have, however, named two excellent countries, as the people of those nations are especially susceptible to amusement such as the Phonograph or Graphophone can supply, namely, vocal and instrumental music. Sec our interview with Mr. Yil'quin, of Paris, in ano;her column.)