The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

THE PHONOSCOPE March, 139? THE PHONOSCOPE Copyrighted 1896 published monthly by THE PHONOSCOPE PUBLISHING CO. 4 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YORK, U. S. A. SUBSCRIPTION : United States and Canada . . . . $i.oo per year Foreign Countries . . . . . 1.50 " Single Copies . . . ' . . . 10c. each ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED ON AFPLiCATICN THE PHONOSCOPE is the only journal in the world pub Ushed in the interest of Talking Machines, Picture Projecting and Animating Devices, aud Scientific and Amusement Inventions appertaining to Souud aud Sight. Correspondents in Loudon, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam Madrid, Alexandria aud Constantinople, Australia, South America, Central America, Canada and 10S cities iu the Uuited States. To-day, wherever we go, we find in conspicuous places and in almost evei y form mechanical contrivances, which, on the insertion of a coin of prede. lermined value and size, enter iu lo various opera lions. They are generally known as automatic machines, and distinguished by the particular purpose the)' serve. Thus, there aie automatic weighing machines lo indicate the weight <f ihe person, who, on dropping a nickel in a. slot provided for that purpose in a convenient part of the machine, steps on to the weighing platform attached to it. There are machines which in a similar manner sell and deliver boxes of candy, matches, cigars, cigarettes, pencils; there are others that serve to supply automatically opera glasses, small luncheons, consisting of crackers and a glass of lemonade; there are even some for the automatic sale and distribution of ice cream and hot coffee. On some of the railway staiioiis in England the platforms are crowded with these ma chines. There are, moreover, machines where, on the insertion of a nickel the customer cau Jest 1 lie strength of his list and his skill or ability as a boxer, and others where, on Ihe same conditions, he can experience the pleasant or unpleasant sensation of an electric shock. Lately automatitity has come into use in perlnrps more sober directions, since among other industrials who found it hard to collect their bills, some gas companies have introduced lo their customers automatic gas meters, which neces sitate the insertion of a coin into the ever-greedy slol before a given quantum of gas will pass the meter; When this has bien consumed the operation has to be repeated by the insertion of a further coin. In the Jardins d'Aeclimatation of Paris may be seen iu use some very tine looking machines, which, for a small coin inserted in a slot of the machine, wil photograph the customer, provided he places him self according to the directions on the machine. After a while this photograph, neatly framed, drops out at the place indicated. There are many other contrivances, too numerous almost to mention, which are set in motion on the insertion of the nimble coin. There is nothing new under the sun, and the principle of automaticity is no exception to this rule. Starling mechanical apparatus by means of coin's inserted into them is as old as mechanics. Thousands of years ago Herodotus found automatic machines in ancient Egypt, where ihey were chiefly used (inirabile dictu) in connection with the worship of the gods, instilling a religious awe into Ihe ignorant, and at the same lime acting as most effective money collectors to satisfy the greed of the priests. Herodotus thus describes them: They generally consisted of a pedestal in the shape of a narrow altar, on which a Statue of a god or goddess had been fixed, the material of Ihe whole being either wood or metal, or a combination of both. The devotees were in the habit of making their vows or prayers before these statues, which nodded their heads aud raised iheir arms in blessing, as the obolus, or penny, was dropped by the pious worshipper into the slot in the top of the altar From time to time the priests weut round and collected the money , deriving from this automatic and inexpensive substitute a rich and lasting revenue. The sacred character of the machine protected it against fraud aud robbery. Thus it is seen that the principle of automaticity has been in operation for many thousand years for all sorts of purposes, therefore it cannot surprise to find to day that the phouograph has also fallen within the grasp of these ingenious catch-pennies, Indeed, the phonograph aud graphophone are better adapted for automatic use than almost any of the other attractions, as ihey can be constructed in a compact and pleasing form and always be ready for use. The patron starts Ihe machine by the insertion of a coin iu the slot, and the matter on the cylinder is transmitted through .rubber tubes which the customer holds up to his ears. Some companies have adopted the plan of reproducing through a large horn attached to the cabinet holding the machine. This has proved quite a novelty, as the music or talking reproduced from the phonograph is thus made audible tt> everybody in Ihe room, and thereby attracts increased attention lo the machine. There is also an unlimited variety of purposes which the phonograph and graphophone cau thus be made to serve automatically, as they will convey sound of any kind. On the insertion of our nickel they may provide us with a classical concert, a wai whoop, a lecture on philosophy, a speech or a dialogue. "We may travel in our mind around the whole world, experiencing all the sensations of molion [through the medium of our ears, or we may picture 10 ourselves the rumble and turmoil of a great city by hearing through the automatic phonograph the echo of its pulsations. To satisfy the wants of ihe religiously inclined the programme may be varied on Sundays, aud the phonograph be made to deliver a sermon or discourse on religious subjects, or readings from Holy Scripture. In fact, there is practically no limit to the pos>iliilities of an automatic phonograph or graphophone. fight pictures a failure If the statements made by E. J. Rector be true there is a dark future— or rather no future — ahead for the kinetoscope views of ihe recent fistic encounter in Carson, Nev. That means a great deal to those who "paid ihe freight" for that photographic enterprise. Rector avers that he is not worried about Ihe prospect of legislation that will cripple the business of giving peephole exhibitions of the prize fight. No; that — so he says — is a minor consideration. It is the knowledge that the views taken at ihe ringside are dismal failures that is giving him nightmares. It was this Rector who secured the exclusive kinetoscope privileges of that memorable battle between Corbett and Fit/.simmons. lie had visions of millions from the photographic reproduction of the' encounter. He spared no expense to get a picture of every move made by the fistic kings. When Corbett gave up the ghost in that fourteenth round , there was no end of hustling among the men who wi re aiming the big lenses at Ihe gory eombalauts. All Ihe agony depicted in the features of the fallen prizefighter was studiously wrought out in the plates so Rector believed. Hut now, alas and alack! Rector says the whole lot of snap shots look like the first efforts of a novice. When the plates were developed evtry defect known to photography made its unwelcrme appcarauce. Rector is staying at the Gramarcy Park Hotel in New York. He is there to recover I rom the shock these underdone and overdone plates gave him, so he says. The negatives were sent to the Edison Laboratory, in Orange, N. J., to be developed. Frank Gammon, of Raff & Gammon, managers of the vitascopc, under whose direction the negatives were being developed, confirms Rector's statement. He says they are not panning out. Rector is not losing any sleep over what the various legislative bodies may do to '"knock out" his pictorial prize fight enterprise — so he says. He won't even admit that Ihey have him "sparring for wind," but while these uegatives are beirg put through a course in chemistry out in Orange, Ihe Legislatures in this State, Maine, Massachusetts. Illinois, Indiana. Wisconsin and the United Slates Senate for the District of Columbia have been industriously trying to fix a penalty for kinetoscope exhibitions of the tight by rounds. But this legislative handicap docs not worry Rector. In fact, he says he is laughing in his sleeve at the misguided legislators; thinks it a great joke that so much good space in statute books should be used to prohibit something that is impossible of accomplishment. Rector says bids for right to make kinetoscopic views of the fight were received from England, France, Australia, South Africa and the Saudwith Islands, but that Ihe defective plot has set aside all thought of making such contracts. Xeoal IHottces 'y'joseph Miusiuger, who has been selling pocket kinetoscope views in the streets of New Brunswick for the last few days, was taken before Chief of Police Harding and Recorder James C. Sullivan last month, by the Rev. Dr. P. T. Hockman, pastor of Ihe First Reformed Church, who accused Minsinger of peddling obscene pictures. The views contained scenes of boxing matches, skirt dances, a comedy team and the Seeley dinner dance of "Little Egypt." Dr. Hockman was passing as the vender, stir, rounded by a crowd of boys, was describing his wares iu glowing terms to his audience. Mlnsinger's words attracted Dr. Hockman. and he remonstrated with the man and asked him to show his license. The man showed that he had paid $2.50 to the City Clerk. Dr. Hockman then asked the vender to accompany him to the police station to determine the question of his right to sell such pictures. Minsinger complied with the request. Recorder Sullivan and Chief Harding found nothing objectionable in the pictures, but the man agreed to refrain from selling 'Little Egypt" to boys, at the request of Dr. Hockman. Deputy-Sheriff Loub yesterday received an attachment against the Kincto Mulliscope Company for $:S,722 in favor of William T. Gregg, for services from June 15. 1896, to February 1, 1897, in manufacturing machines, etc., and for money spent. The Sheriff levied on some photo machines and im" plements in ihe hands of a third party, at No. 18 Spruce street. The attachment was obtained on the ground that the company is a foreign corporation organized under the laws of New Jersey in April, L896, with a capita] stock of $50,000. Daniel Stuart was president; William 1\ Wlicclock, vice-president, and Enoch J. Hector, treasurer. Frank .1. Ncalis has been appointed receiver for the Calhoscope Electrical Company, of No. 50 Broadway, on the application of the Allen Advertising Company, It was formed to exhibit X-rays.