The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

Vol. III. No. 6 » 15 were transmitted in a conversation could be registered upon a pliable material by means of a point attached to the diaphragm and reproduced at will by vibrating a similar diaphragm — hence the tinfoil Phonograph. While it is clear to everybody now that the talking-machine does repeat sounds, the manner in which this is accomplished is not so familiar. It might be compared to an echo in the case of which the sound is repeated and thrown back. So the sound in a talking-machine is caught by the diaphragm, thrown upon and recorded upon a prepared cylinder. When the sound is to be reproduced, the process is reversed. The sound tracings upon the cylinder enable it to give a similar diaphragm the same motions and to produce or throw back the same sounds as those given into the diaphragm to enable it to make the record. But, as Mr. Mauro explains, while the sounds reproduced by the Edison Phonograph were sufficiently loud to be audible, it was found that, although the correctness of the theory had been demonstrated, somewhere in the process the sounds— in their "forms," at least— were distorted and often totally lost and were ' 'mere caricatures of the originals and the reproduction of recognizable spoken utterances was not realized to a useful extent," although both amusing and interesting. Until very recently this invention has remained, except as to some detail and refinement, at a standstill, with more or less efforts towards the production of a longer volume of sound. "But," says Mr. Mauro, "within a few months a new development has taken place, which produces results in volume of sound, and in fidelity to the original, far exceeding the limits of what was previously and by those best able to form an opinion deemed possible." It is the perfection of this new apparatus in connection with another interesting invention which will produce the one even more wonderful machine, some of the achievements of which promise to surpass anything heretofore dreamed of in the wildest flights of the imagination. The exhibition of the new talking-machine at the Franklin Institute recenlty was the first to be given before a scientific body. Members of the Institute regard its present performances and future possibilities as of the highest importance. Mr. Mauro in his demonstration before the Institute compared the two inventions, using a record made by the old process and one of the same selection made by the new process. In explaining the results he said: "The difference observable between the two machines (overlooking unimportant details of construction) is that the cylindrical tablet of the new talking-machine is larger than that of the old type. No-one in this audience will for a moment suppose that the volume of sound is in any way affected by or dependent upon the 'size' of the recording tablet. It would be as reasonable to suppose that characters written on a large piece of paper would be visible farther than characters of the same kind written on a small piece of paper. The other mechanisms are substantially the same in the two cases ; that is to say, the same recording device is used, the same material for the tablet, and the same reproducer. The difference is that the recording tablet of the new machine moves with a surface velocity of from two and onehalf to three times that given to the small tablet. The former i"s made large because, for practical reasons, it is preferred to obtain the the high surface bpeed by increasing the diameter of the tablet rather than by increasing its axial speed." It is not necessary to enter into the elaborate technical explanation of the machine made before the institute by the lecturer. He explained how the increase in speed is made to bring about the remarkable results produced. Its reproductions of sounds in forms and volume are marvelous. All of the beauties and elegancies of the musical selections were retained. The talking-machine for the most important commercial use to which it is put at present — in dictation and copying — is a perfect machine. As a means of entertainment in the reproduction of musical selections, recitations and the like, it has come into very large demand, and has been made to accomplish something in the way of education, but the latest improved machines are quite another affair. The Graphophone or Phonograph as developed into the new machine, is but half a step towards a much greater marvel, in the realization of which that kindred and quite as wonderful invention, the graphoscope or kinetoscope, is to assist. It is the combination of the one with the other which has attracted the attention of specialists and which promises the most complete results. The graphoscope appeals to the eye as the talking-machine appeals to the ear, the one producing sound, the other recording the reproducing movement, or the moving objects of sight. As we are most familiar with it the graphoscope gives exhibitions of the reproduction of a series of life-size pictures, animated with all the spirit and motion of real life. This was a startling achievement. These reproductions have all the variety of the life of the play, with a much wider field than that of the stage and a fidelity of detail as absolutely true to life as the photograph. Every theatregoer has seen this moving picture process displayed, photographed events, true in every detail, passing like living events across 'a stage screen. Although many hundreds of miles away we have actually seen our soldiers landing on the Cuban coast and marching" into Santiago. But we could not hear the sound of ihe oar or the break of the surf through which the landing was being effected, nor the orders of the officers nor the cheers of the men as they entered the captured city. But be patient, and we will attend such entertainments where we may not only see all, but hear all of these scenes. The new invention takes the principle and operations of both the talking-machine and the graphoscope or kinetoscope and will harness them together. The expected result has been already indicated. The scene desired will be photographed by the kinetoscope method, while the words of the actors in such a scene will be recorded simultaneously by the method used to record sound in the new talking-machine. As a simple result we shall have, for instance, the oration as well as the personal expression and gestures of the orator faithfully recorded. By means of a screen and a talking-machine perfected, both can be reproduced at the same moment, and we may have at will all of the pleasure to be experienced in listening to the speaker himself. It is absolutely bewildering to follow the possibilities of this combination, and the uses to which the results may be put, in instruction as well as amusement. Technical lectures requiring illustrations not only of sound but movement can be recorded and used indefinitely, thus multiplying their service to science. A medical professor for illustration, explaining to a class of necessity limited in number, with a patient before him, a disease in which not only the utterances, the breathings, character of the cough, etc., but the movements of the patient under treatment, his facial contortions or the shudder of a muscle, might lose half the value of his lesson as revealed by present methods, but all of it could be preserved and repeated indefinitely by means of this combination. Marvelous Electric E>i8pla\> Thomas A. Edison will startle the world with the exhibit he intends to install at the Paris Exposition. By special arrangements made by Mr. Edison with Commissioner Ferdinand W. Peck the wizard of Menlo Park has decided to ^ive the American exhibit at Paris a distinctively American touch by placing therein the greatest and most remarkable electric exhibit ever seen on earth. Mr. Peck and Mr. Edison have been arranging for the exhibit for some time, but it was not until recently that the wizard fully made up his mind to take up the matter and outdo even himself in the manner he will employ to show what can be done with the mystery of which he is the master. Mr. Peck's assistants began the negotiations with Mr. Edison, but made little headway until Mr. Peck took up the matter and used his best arguments with the great inventor. ■ Mr. Edison finally yielded and has authorized Mr. Peck to say that the Edison exhibit at Paris will be the most thrilling and the most magnificent spectacle that has ever been arranged in the electrical line. "I am very much pleased with the arrangements I have just completed with Mr. Edison," said Mr. Peck. "I have had several talks wi h the wizard and he has assured me that because of my personal interest in the matter he will amaze the world with his exhibit at Paris. He is patriotic, and as he realizes that America must be ahead in all things at Paris, he has concluded to do his part by contributing the most marvelous exhibit that can be imagined. "One part of this determination on the side of Mr. Edison which I wish to be made clear is that all he will do will be at his own expense, and because of his love for the flag. He has nothing to sell. Neither will he put in any sort of agency. His efforts will be directed entirely to making a great exhibit of American genius, solely because he is an American and he realizes that his land is the greatest on earth. This exhibit will cost Mr. Edison a great deal of money, but he will not stint things, and Americans who visit the Paris Exposition will be awed by the splendor and originality presented by him. "Iam not allowed to sa3'just yet what the great features of the Edison exhibit will be, but in time the great inventor will give due notice of what he intends to do. Some of his plans will be kept secret and will be in the nature of a surprise. Indeed, I am warranted in saying that they will be a genuine surprise not only to Europeans, but to Americans as well." Commissioner Peck is well pleased with the progress that is being made with all the work he has on hand for the great fair. He is in constant consultation with his staff members, a great apartment at the Waldorf being occupied as a cabinet room, where daily meetings are held and plans outlined and discussed. "The great manufacturers are coming to the support of the commission,'' continued Mr. Peck. "They are realizing that the reputation of the flag is at stake and their native pride is stirring them to great efforts for the success of the American port of the exposition. Patriotism is prompt ing a great many of the most prominent merchants and manufacturers of the east in particular to come forward and declare in favor of making wonderful exhibits. They are coming to rn every day and are thoroughly satisfied with the way matters are being arranged. Their statements are extremely gratifying to me, and 1 .im