The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

6 THE PHONOSCOPE. December, 1S96. ZTbe flbbonograpb ZTbe /Ifouitiplej Ipbonograpb. That the multiplex attachment will aid the phonograph as a commercial article, must be admitted by practical minds when the merits of the invention are thoroughly investigated. It is so simple in mechanism, and so practical in detail, that a glance at it is sufficient to cause any one to wonder why the original invention should have not embodied its principles as a primary instinct. The illustrations which appear above render anything like a technical description unnecessary. A casual inspection is all that is required to explain the principle involved in the operation of the attachment You simply lift the body of the Edison machine off and put the ^Multiplex" in its place, there being a slot in the framework where the screw fastens it to the back, and for regulating the tension of the belt, similar to the Edison pattern. The rotation of the Multiplex group in the regular order is controlled by the means of a compound reacting ratchet lever, the knob of which is seen protruding in front of body box. One movement revolves the Multiplex group and brings the next cylinder in position. When the mandrel is in position to reproduce its rec ord a spring attached to the extremity or righihand end, forces connection of the mandrel in the main shaft and an automatic dowel-pin at taches itself to the main frame, thereby giving absolute firmness, and steadiness, while the record is being recorded or reproduced. When the Multiplex is used as a slot machine, the mandrels are numbered in regular order. These numbers are intended to designate the various records in the repertoire of the machine, and to enable the patron to make a selections from numbered list which is on announcement card. If the record in position when you approach the machine does not suit your fancy, you have simply to take your choice from the index on the top extension of the phonograph, and pull the lever back and forth until the desired number revolves into position. Then drop a nickel in the slot and a reproduction of the record begins. Should the record not please you. another one can be brought into place by simply pulling lever while the machine is running. The system by which the mandrel frame of the Multiplex attachment is filled or emptied is very simple, and involves no more labor than that of loosening several thumb screws. The mandrels which are to be moved are revolved to the top in consecutive order, and are taken out one at a time when they appear in position. The frame is refilled in the same manner. The foregoing detail concerning the inechinism and operation of the Multiplex attaclunenT are sufficient to give all who are familiar with the use of the phonograph a clear and concise idea of its construction. It is virtually an improved substitute for the single cylinder machine, combining all of the desirable features, and meeting the demand in an unlimited sphere of employment, which the other, by reason of its physical limitations, cannot fill. The idea of economy, which is the point of all valuable invention, impelled the inventing of this machine, which would quintuple the action and resources of the original without any increase of expense save that of the attachment alone. Following this line of thought, there was suggested to the inventor a Multiplex group of five cylinders with the view of placing them in the cabinet of the slot machine without making any alterations on the cabinet or doing violence to any of its mechanism. The Multiplex, as now constructed, can be used for any business purpose, public or private entertainment. There is no reasonable limit to the rapacity of the machine, so far as the number of cylinders are concerned. The attachment can be furnished with five, ten. fifteen, or twenty cylinders, and where exigencies require the cylinders can be made double the length of those used in the slot machine. As a talking machine and office accessory the phonograph should assume the dignified practical scope of employment presaged as its higher and most useful mission. There is no reason now why it should not fill every demand of the business man, lecture room, college, professional man, and is, in fact, of primary importance. As a prospective factor of this kind the world welcomed its advent, but its use was hampered because it was inadequate by reason of its abbreviated resources to perforin the duties assigned to it. The whole trouble was in the single cylinder, which did not allow sufficient space for the mass of dictation necessary associated with the routine of daily business. When the space on one record blank was reached the only alternative was to remove the cylinder and insert a new blank. This occasioned no little annoyame, and consumed valuable time, besides giving an intricate detail to office work, which seriously interfered with its dispatch. The Multiple attachment removes this defect; its five or more cylinders give all the space necessary for this amount of die-ration, from one sentence on to a book of five hundred or more pages. The pause between filling one cylinder and beginning another involves no more labor or time than that of pulling the eccentric rod. which instantly throws the desired cylinder into position. The Multiplex for commercial business purposes can be manufactured to meet any demand. When made for particular purposes they are especially designed to meet the emergencies involved, as the case may be, with five, ten, fifteen, or twnty cylinders, and twice the length of those now in use. if desired. The Multiplex attachment fits the phonograph for position especially in the schools, colleges, and lecture rooms of the country, as a sources of instruction in any study or from any great teacher. Phonographic Clocks The phonograph is well known, but as usually constructed it is a tolerably large instrument. An English firm, however, has succeeded in getting such an instrument into an ordinary-sized drawing-room clock. There are many amusing and useful possibilities of this phonograph clock. Imagine sitting in a room wiTh not a soul near and suddenly hear The "Star Spangled Banner" or a voice in a sudden, mahatma-liko fashion crying out: "Don't forget." With a phonograph clock, now a trade novelty, all this is made a possibility. The phonograph is set to go off like an ordinary alarm, and the hands are set for the phonograph to commence its operations at a certain time, either to amuse or startle friends or to give a gentle reminder that you have an engagement or have at a given time to perform some business. Novel Application of the 'Phone A novel application of the phonograph is recorded by New Ideas. A telephone company uses the phonograph to notify subscribers that their calls cannot be answered because the number called is "busy." An ordinary office phonograph is connected to a solid back, longdistance transmitter by means of a soft rubber tube, the tube being centered to a mouthpiece of the transmitter. From this transmitter the ordinary telephone connections are made to a spring jack or switch, appearing on each section of the switchboard. Whenever a subscriber calls a number that is "busy." as soon as the operator learns this she inserts the caller's plug in the "busy" spring jack connected to the phonograph, which throws out the words "The wire is busy, please call off: the wire is busy, please call off." in a most industrious manner. It may be new to most of our readers that the nickel 5-eent pieces now in use are not of equal size, but that the one with a V. stamped on it Is considerably larger than the one stamped with a 5. This is important when approaching nickel in the slot machines, where the smaller nickel generally fails to act. and the confiding customer loses his money through no fault of the machine, but through an inexactness on the part of the mint