The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. TO EDISON IS DUE THE HONOR. A correspondent to the Talking Machine News, London, England, furnishes the following information concerning the early attempts at reproducing sound : Edison was not the first man that tried to solve the problem of recording and reproducing human speech — but in pre-Edison days the utmost accomplished was in the direction of tracings (generally on a smoked surface) illustrative of voice vibrations. Leon Scott's "talking machine" never existed, neither was it ''a practical attempt to solve the problem of voice reproduction." The crux of the problem was infinitely more in the direction of reproducing than in recording, and this (the reproducing of speech) Scott never even mentions. What Scott accomplished, and great honour is due to him for it, was the invention of the Pbonautograph, in 1856. This uncouth look ing instrument marked, in its operation, a distinct advance, yet the utmost it did was tracing sound vibrations on a smoked surface. The tracings had no permanence whatever, much less was there any thought of reproducing from them. In reference to Charles Cros, the case is different, yet not to the extent some may think. There seems also no room for doubt that neither Edison or Cros knew of each other's work, or idea, in this direction. Cros never made a machine, and never got beyond theory, but all the same he theorized well. He was hardly an inventor, but a thinker. He could not, as Edison can, foresee practical realizations from small indications. Still Cros's ideas were brilliant, and worthy of high praise. Du Moncel doubted if the instrument described by Cros could ever be capable of reproducing speech. The Abbe Leblanc also made several attempts to carry out the instructions of CroSj but without success. Attempts to make a phonograph were also made by M. Napoli and M. Deprez, also without success. To Edison alone is due the honour of solving the great problem. He first worked out not only a practical principle, but evolved from that principle a practical result. Dr. Maier, in his interesting description of Larranaga's phonograph, well says, in reference to preEdison efforts : — "Previous records of sound suggested no practical way of reproducing it, nor was this effected until Edison produced his talking phonograph." As to Edison, in the world of invention I believe, he is the most imitated man. THANATOPSIS. H. C. Bickle, Dealer at Chardon, Ohio, sends the following clipping from Geauga County Record of August 7 : The exhibition of the Edison Home Phonograph by H. C. Bickle attracts much attention. The seemingly inexhaustible repertoire of exquisite music which is daily produced by the obliging exhibitor of this marvelous invention is a source of pleasure to many. But the climax was reached when Mr. Bickle announced that ex-Sheriff Edward Clapp's matchless rendition of Bryant's "Thanatopsis" was ready for reproduction. The Record was taken by John Chapman, and it requires very little stretch of imagination for the listener to see the venerable ex-Sheriff's every gesture as the marvelous poem is rendered, word for word, with perfect imitation of detail in expression. A TRANSPOSITION ERROR. The interesting article on "Moulded Records for Phonographs" reprinted from the American Machinist in the August issue of the Phonograph Monthly, contained an annoying error in make-up. On page 13 the cuts of the Recorder and Reproducer were transposed, the cut of the Reproducer appearing over the title of the Recorder and vice versa. Fortunately the Phonograph Monthly circulates only among Phonograph Dealers and the error deceived no one. In spite of this fact, however, we regret that it occurred. We thank the various Dealers who pointed out the error. NON=SIGNERS REMOVED FROM MAIL LIST. Jobbers who receive complaints from their Dealers that they have not received this issue of the_ Phonograph Monthly or other printed matter usually sent out by this company, will understand that it is because such Dealers have either not signed thef new Agreement or because their Agreement has not been forwarded to us to make our records complete. All Dealers who had not signed the new Agreement on September 1 were removed from our mailing list and will not be restored to the list until they have conformed to our request in the matter oi signing the new Agreement. PERSONAL. Among the visitors at our New York office the past month were W. H. Beck, of the Eastern Talking Machine Co., Boston; P. E. Conroy, of the Conroy Co., St. Louis, Mo. ; Fred and Henry Babson, of the Talking Machine Co., Chicago, 111. ; Henry Winkelman, of John C. Haynes Co., Boston, Mass. ; C. A. Ray, of the Ray Co., Louisville, Ky. ; P. A. Powers, Buffalo, N. Y. ; William Werner, Easton, Pa. ; J. E. Ellenberger, of Pardee-Ellenberger Co., New Haven, Conn. ; H. Shields, of the Denver Dry Goods Co., Denver, Colo. C. B. Haynes, who for two years represented this company in the middle West and who for the past two years has been with the Armour Company, of Chicago, has been re-engaged as salesman by the National Phonograph Co. His territory will be New York State, (except New York city and Brooklyn), and part of New Jersey and Connecticut.