The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

Vol. I. No. 2. THE PHONOSCOPE. 9 i An Automatic Bank | The automatic machine idea has been turned to new account in Italy. Put a coin in the slot and take out a receipt and the thing is done. The workingman's "honest penny" is banked without the trouble of going to a savings bank or postoffice. When a sufficient number of recepts have been collected the can be exchanged for a "libretto" at the regular savings bank. Interest at 4 per cent, is paid on deposits, and the depositors are entitled to a share of the profits derived from the bank's operations. The Automatic News=boy The automatic newsboy, an ingenious machine in which the penny-in-the-slot principle is applied to sale of newspapers, was oil exhibition at the Astor House, New York, last month. The machine can be set to deliver newspapers of any price or size simply by dropping the required coin in the slot and turning a crank. The boxes are made in various sizes, so that the capacity may be according to requirements. The machine can also be made and regulated for any size paper or magazine. It is intended for use in hotels, stores, railway and elevated stations, suburban districts and in public conveyances. The inventor is W. S. Barnett, wbo also devised the Ferris wheel, jack-pot and other card-playing machines. Coin=in=the=slot Bicycles Slot machines are the latest addition to the bicycle outfit introduced at Berlin. They are attached to bicycles that are rented and those using them must drop a nickel into the machine to keep the wheels in motion. A Frenchman has succeeded in the construction of a bicycle that can be taken apart and carried in a bag without inconvenience. The penny-in-the-slot machines have at last made their appearance in Springfield, Mo. It is satisfactory to know this, as it shows that Springfield is not entirely beyond the elevating influences of civilization. Doings among tbe pbonograpb ano (Srapbopbone lEybibitors. At a fair given in Brooklyn last month Mr. C. H. Oxenham, with a phonograph exhibition, added much to the amusement of those who attended, and succeeded in getting a "record" for his mysterious little machine that he considers one of the most novel ever taken. The "record" included a chorus by young folks, the screams of a fainting woman, and a song by three Windsor Terrace Chinamen. The screams belonged to Mrs. Jeremiah Earle, and the Chinese song was executed by Charles Washem Foo, a laundryman residing on Adams place, and his two assistants. The young folks had just finished one verse of their chorus when Mrs. Earle, who was sitting near the phonograph, uttered two sharp screams and fainted away. In an instant there was confusion and the chorus was about broken up, but Mr. Oxenham kept the singers together and the second verse was sung without interruption. Then the three Chinamen were put in front of the funnel and went through their little act with about as much giggling as would be expected of three school girls, and then it was all over. Mr. Oxenham did not think that Mrs. Earle's screams would be reproduced, but the machine had been only too alert, and that lady then had the opportunity of not only hearing how a woman screams when she faints away, out her own screams. She could not be induced to listen to them, however. This particular cylinder proved quite a drawing card and resulted in big and unexpected receipts. Mr. Frank Thayer, one of the leading Western exhibitors, reports business as very dull in the West. D. H. Armstrong is giving very successful exhibitions with the Phonograph in Arizona. His catalogue of records is very neat and illustrates the class of exhibition that is bound to succeed. -®uc ZEattler Myers tells me that some one sent him an order for a record of the song, "I Love to See My dear Old Mother Work." The man who wrote the song, "It Never Came Back" should see the "Home." A great chance for a companion song. Some one said Walcutt leads (ain't that a wonder), but he'll never get there at 50c a bunch. They fade too quick. The people in Topeka who know "George," will be pleased to know that he "rides a bike" now. And the wind— . 'Tis easy enough to be pleasant, When life flows by like a song; But the man worth while, Is the man with a smile. When the "push" in his battery's gone. Corbett and Fitzsimmons would be a frost in front of the kinetoscope. But if you could get a good strong phonograph — well I guess yes. I heard this in a phonograph parlor the other day: Proprietor— "Excuse me, this is a bad nickle." Patron.— "Is it? Well, you just gave it to me in change." Proprietor. — "Did I?" Patron.— "Yes." Proprietor.— "Oh." The funniest thing in the business is Len Spencer, who weighs a good 200, singing "Wait, Mr. Postman, Wait," and trying to imagine he's a little one, as suggested by the song. An exhibitor tells us it is a fact that his phonograph "talks louder" at midnight than in the day time. I heard a phonograph last Sunday in a Raines law hotel and I was surprised. I never knew she spoke so loud. I understand that a scientist has invented an instrument to photograph your thoughts. I'd like to see a photo of mine when I looked at the motor of my "Home," after I'd wound it up too hard. Lincoln once said: "You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time." But still the two Mc's and Bryans are great sellers. Some of the song writers should sing their songs to the 'Phone or 'Graph, and hear them reproduced before they publish them. I tried to wrestle with "Her Thoughts Seemed Fixed on Something Far Away" in a patter song, the other day, and had to bend my face back into shape again. Why do all the song writers always have their "demure, innocent, pious, simple, gawkish, tender, bashful maidens go to the Bowery and on Broadway to see things? What's the matter with Fourteenth street and Fifth avenue for a change? They're there just the same. I spoke last month about the Prince of Wales scratching his head, etc., as reproduced by the cinematograph. I see one paper explains it thus: "The movement referred to is simply a momentary placing of the hand to the ears, probably to brush away an intrusive fly." I've always heard it said that there were no flies on Al. How about this? I've corns on my fingers from writing, and a dislocated jaw from pronouncing some of the names of projecting machines, but I'm going to tackle this one if I loose a finger, phronothanatoletron! Oh! Ain't that a bird? and 1 understand that it was invented by a woman in Arkansas, and turns with a crank (I mean the machine). I'm going to call mine the Trunupmovingpicturesonascreenoscope, and do 'em all up. The phonograph has a surprising number of friends. The phonographs in ferry stations and other public places are listened to with expressions of rapt delight that is amazing. It cannot all be a scientific interest, in the marvel of the apparatus, and if it isn't what is it? Refined-looking women who would be shocked to find themselves in the music halls where the songs are sung on the stage cloister around the phonograph with delight. They not only do that, but also they go to accept a free treat of music from some one who has paid an honest penny for it. (Beneral IRews As predicted in this column last month, a New York Phonograph company has gone out of the business. The firm of Miller & Hagan, known as the Phonograph Record and Supply Company, have sold out. Their stock was bought up by a number of New York parties, principally G. Bettini and Russell Hunting. The Columbia Phonograph Company have in preparation a new machine which they will style the "Columbia Type B." We have seen the model of this machine. It is, or will be, one of the most practical talking machines on the market. It is the same style as the present Columbia, fitted with a spring motor which will run one hour with a single winding, and will be supplied with cylinders 6% inches long, upon which a selection of fifteen minutes duration can be recorded. We understand that Mr. C. G. Childs has severed his connection with the Ohio Phonograph Company. The Columbia Phonograph Company have leased the whole building over their Broadway parlor, and are going to move their headquarters from Washington to New York. We have tested a battery manufactured by the Southern Battery Company, which, in our opinion, far outclasses anything in that line yet put on the market. We have heard some vocal records taken by Chicago Talking Machine Company; that are sold for 50c, which far surpasses some offered by rival companies for $1. We have received illustrations and information pertaining to the Kinematograph, the leading English projecting machine, now being exhibited at the Royal Aquarium. Full description and illustrations of this machine will appear in our next issue. We have had an interesting interview with Mr. Moore, of the Multiplex Phonograph Company. He is very enthusiastic over the Multiplex. We share his enthusiasm, and recommend his Multiplex attachment to all users of the 'Phone. There are 2,827 automatic slot machines in the city of Brooklyn. These figures were compiled from a census taken by the city authorities who contemplate levying a tax on same. man H. Howe's Phonograph exhibition, reports man H. Howes Phonograph exhibition, reports business in Pennsylvania as Al. Mr. Thos. Wardell has let his Phonograph parlor in Lowell, Mass. He says "winter business in Lowell is very bad. I cannot understand why people are so changeable. In spring, summer and fall they spend money freely, but in winter — not a cent." The International Film Company have been vigorously at work perfecting their new proing machine. They claim it will surpass any yet on the market. Judging from the trial exhibition, which we were fortunate enough to attend, their claim is a just one. A full description and illustration of this machine will appear in our January issue. Mr. C. S. Rhea, of the Traveling Edison Exhibition Company, Messrs. Wainwright & Rock, of Edison Vitascope Company, New Orleans, and Mr. J. P. Harris, of Eden Musee, Pittsburg. Pa., were in New York last month purchasing films, etc, for their "projectors." Raff and Gammon report that there is a good demand for the Vitascope for church fairs, etc. The San Antonio Phonograph Company have taken some very fine Spanish Records for Phonograph and Graphophone. The Columbia Phonograph Company have a new style recorder and reproducer for their Graphophones. It is made of aluminum and is far superior to the old style of rubber. Mr. Dan W. Quinn, the popular baritone, has added a number of new songs to bis repertoire, principally among which are all the selections from Lillian Russell's musical comedy, "The American Beauty."