The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

58 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June 15, 1925 Edison Pioneers Present New Jersey With Tablet Commemorating Edison's Inventions Bronze Tablet Erected at Menlo Park, Where Thomas A. Edison Conceived Many of His Inventions and Carried on His Early Experiments— Impressive Ceremony Marked Event The Edison Pioneers, men who worked by the side of Thomas A. Edison in the early days of his career, presented on May 16, to the State of New Jersey, a bronze tablet commemorating the achievements and inventions of Mr. Edison. The tablet has been erected at Menlo Park, N. J., the place where he conceived many of his inventions and carried on the experiments which resulted in his many gifts to mankind. Gov. Silzer, of New Jersey; President Hibben, of Princeton University; the mayors of several New York and New Jersey cities, and the executives of some of the largest companies in the electrical industry, together with nearly all of Mr. Edison's early associates, participated in the dedication ceremonies. The tablet is set in a huge granite boulder with a base of concrete, containing bricks from the foundation of the first Edison home in Menlo Park, and is on the Lincoln Highway, close to the original workshops and laboratories. It bears the following inscription: "On this site— 1876-1882— Thomas Alva Edison began his work of service for the world to illumine the path of progress and lighten labor for mankind. This tablet is placed by the Edison Pioneers to attest the gratitude of the industries he did so much to create." Charles L. Clarke, president of the Edison Pioneers, made the address of welcome, and in his talk he spoke of the men who had worked for many years with Mr. Edison and shared in his triumphs. John W. Lieb, vice-president of the New York Edison Co. and first electrician of the original power generating plant built by Mr. Edison in New York, made the dedication address. Gov. George S. Silzer accepted on behalf of the State and in his address of acceptance said in part : "This is historic ground, for it marks a step in the progress of the world. "Here, in enduring bronze, is recorded for all time the fact that on this spot Thomas Alva Edison, by his genius, his industry and his ability, made some of the greatest discoveries the world has ever known, and thus made this a better world and a happier place in which to live. "It is especially gratifying that this should take place in the lifetime of him whom we honor to-day, and that the inspiration should have come from those who here labored with Thomas A. Edison and Memorial Tablet him and who shared with him the thrill of discovery and achievement." Following this address, the tablet was unveiled by Mrs. Thomas A. Edison. Other addresses were made by Dr. J. G. Hibben, Edwin W. Rice, Jr., honorary chairman of the board, General Electric Co., and Samuel Insull, president of the Commonwealth Edison Co. of Chicago. About six hundred friends and associates of Mr. Edison attended the dedication ceremonies. Beautiful souvenir programs of the event, containing an autographed photograph of Mr. Edison and a photograph of the memorial tablet with a sketched-in background of the original laboratory, were distributed to all those in attendance. Also enclosed in the program was the following tribute, penned in honor of the occasion by Richard Rogers Bowker: MENLO PARK 1875-1925 On this site, half a century since, the searching brain, the patient hand, began their work to find and wield the latent powers Nature still held in store. Today, a million men, at rise of sun march to the workshops of the world, their tread a paean to the Chief, whose wizardry made live the whirring wheels, the vibrant wires, and woke new powers of service for the world. Jewett Go. to Introduce Five-tube Radio Set Edward H. Jewett, president of the Jewett Radio & Phonograph Co., Pontiac, Mich., announced personally recently that the company would introduce a five-tube radio set in its line of products this coming Fall. The Jewett organization has been a prominent factor the past year in the production of various types of radio apparatus, featuring principally its loud speaker known as the Superspeaker. In referring to his announcement, Mr. Jewett stated: "It was not the original intention of our company to manufacture a receiving set, but we have gone into this new field with the intention of manufacturing a receiver that will match up with our Superspeaker in every way. We have been working eighteen months to bring our results up to the standard we set out to reach, and the set is fully equal in performance to the difficult tests we designed for it." The Jewett radio set will be made in two models, portable and fixed, and likewise the Superspeaker will also appear in two types, namely, the old familiar style and a new box type. Other Jewett radio products this Fall will include the Highboy, a fine piece of cabinet work containing the loud speaker, the Vemco unit for phonograph attachment, the Micro-Dial and the Parkay cabinets for radio fans who build their own sets. Music Critic Praises the Columbia Masterworks Among the outstanding tributes paid to the Musical Masterworks Series of Columbia Phonograph Co. records have been those written by leading music critics throughout the country. The latest of these reviewers to consider the Columbia Masterworks is Edwin J. Stringhand, of the Denver Post, who in discussing new books on music, digressed to comment on the educational value of the records, saying in part: "These records present the complete opuses and are played with precious few cuts and are faithful reflections of the playing of the leading European organizations. It is not saying too much when this series is pronounced the most monumental accomplishment in the history of phonograph recording. The series should prove of value to the student and teacher of music who desire to learn the scores offered. It is suggested that one secure the miniature scores of the recorded works and that the study proceed through both the eye and the ear." "Pinafore" Issued in Album The Victor Talking Machine Co. recently released the comic opera, "Pinafore," in album form. The album includes eight double-faced twelve-inch records, recorded by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. A booklet giving the words of each number in the opera is included with the set. A synopsis of the opera also appears on the inside front cover of the album. The L. R. Donehue Corp., Hackensack, N. J., was recently incorporated at Dover, Del., with a capital stock of $200,000 to manufacture radio apparatus, Yes, there is a Difference in Talking Machine Felts HOW shall a talking machine manufacturer, who seeks the utmost quality in turntable felts, make the right choice? "Felt is felt," you say. Not so! Turntable felt of different makes may look alike, but there is a wide variance in quality. It is easy to skimp in the quality of wool. And it is easier still to skimp in the feltingi process. The life and strength of the wool will be lost if the work be handled by any but the most skilled experts. How, then, shall you know. This is the safe and sure way: Try "AMERICAN"— it's the standard Durability is inbred in American Felt Company's felts. In quality of raw material and quality of workmanship they are unequalled. And to insure longer service, all our felts are now protected against ravages of moths. This is done during the process of manufacture — not after. The constantly growing preference of talking machine manufacturers for these good felts is the best proof of their worth! Write our nearest office for quotations. Experienced felt men there are ready and eager to serve you. AMERICAN FELT COMPANY 213 Congress St., Boston 114 E. 13th Street, New York City 325 So. Market Street, Chicago