The Phonogram, Vol. 1:5 (1891-05)

/ THE PHONOGRAM . 111 \ machine is an exceedingly simple thing, and any typewriter operator of ordinary ability can operate the Phonograph- Graphophone in a very short time. Well known stenographers throughout the country have testified that the Phonograph-Graphophone will receive any and all sounds made in the funnel of the speaking tube, record the same on the cylinder, and then reproduce it for you at your pleasure as often as you like. Prominent stenographers all over the country have testified a that they have tried the Phonograph-Graphophone; that they have dictated matter full of technical and unusual terms to it, and that by the use of the Phonograph-Grapho- phone they can turn out at least twice as much copy per day as they ever could before. With this machine the stenographer can turn out twice or three times as much \v*>rk as he could have done here- tofore in the old way of dictating either to a typewriter operator or transcribing his notes himself upon the typewriter, and in this way he will increase the anToupt of work he can do. What busi- ness man will hire incompetent men or womw when he can get a competent one for tht; same money? And with the aid of the Phonograph-Graphophone, a good steriogcapher, who can read his notes, will be able to do so much more work that he will be able to compete with the great number of incompetent stenograph- ers in the field, by reason of the fact that he can turn out so much more work in a given time. I therefore contend that the Phono- .graph-Gra^hophone is a great boon to the stenographer, for Hke the type- writer, it will increase the amount of work that he can turn out in a given time, and in that way increase his earn- ing power, and this makes the pro- fession more remunerative. It will weed out the incompetent stenographers, give a better standing to the profession, and by reason of the increased demand for competent stenographers, rid the country of these three months short- hand schools, “a consummation most devoutly to be wished for." Cable Steamers Equipped With the Phono- graph. The large cable steamers lying in the Boston harbor will probably be equipped with the Phonograph, The captain is required to keep a record of all commands and instructions given by him while on the bridge of the steam- er. The bridge is often a wet, foggy and dripping place, and the keeping of this record in a storm is almost an impos- sibility. It is proposed placing a phono- graph in the cabin and running a speak- ing tube from the captain’s post on the bridge down to the phonograph. An electric switch controlled from the bridge will set the cylinder turning whenever the captain repeats his orders down the tube. The Phonograph as a Reading Clerk. An innovation was introduced by the Universalist Social Union House. When in the business meeting it was time for the reading of the records of the last meeting, a phonograph was brought for- ward and the proceedings were ground out from the machine. Mr. Gibbs made a short address on * 4 The Demands of our Modem Minister, *' and the remainder of the evening was spent in listening to the phonograph as manipulated by Mr. Childs. It was announced that the annual festival would be a field day on May 25, which Governor Russell would probably attend and to which Mayor Matthews, Speaker Barrett, Rev. Dr. Gunnison, of Worces- ter, and Rev. Dr. Hamilton of Pawtucket, had accepted invitations. *