The talking machine world (July-Sept 1921)

August IS, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 125 FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADOUARTERS ' {Continued from page 124) at the side of the bridge, began to speak and delivered a lecture on the engineering features indicated by the various lights. Readers of The Talking Machine World know lhat, from time to time, they read in these columns suggestions for the commercial application of talking machine records, and we cite the news of this exhibit as another example of how lhat side of the talking machine fits in. Are We Oversold? For a good many moons now we have been hearing the yell that the talking machine industry is oversold. We have heard it said that the reason we are oversold, etc., is that on the market and in use there arc now about 4,000,000 talking machines. We also hear lhat until all of these machines are discarded by their owners and the ones now on the market arc sold the talking machine business will go along at a snail's pace. Happily, however, the men who do this kind of talking represent hut a few members of the industry. Now, while rambling around the exhibits at the pier, we came across one exhibit which caused us to wiggle our cars and wonder. What caught our eye was a little, insignificant sign set up in the Ford motor car exhibit. The little sign was placed on the windshield of a sedan flivver and bore the following words: "This car is No. 5,000,000 and was finished at 7:45 a. m May 21." It might be well to state here lhat at Henry's plant at Detroit they arc turning out one car every sixteen seconds, or at the rate of about 4,000 per day, so, figuring from the time "Lizzie" No. 5,000,000 was born until the time you read this, you will see that Henry, has added quite a number of flivs to his family, and there is no sign of a let-up. The cars Ford has put out, added to the bunch manufactured and produced by the numerous other companies, do not yet even begin to fill the demand So there is a chance for an argument as to whether the talking machine industry is slopping over the sides. The Federal Sign System The Federal Sign System had an interesting exhibit, wherein it showed everything possible in the way of electric signs for advertising purposes. One interesting feature was that nearly all of the signs were particularly for the talking machine trade. The Victor dog was especially prominent and they even had him not only sitting still, but running around in circles and wagging what is left of his tail. The Magnavox Everywhere Magnavox was perched on rafters, under tables and in fact everywhere. Wherever you went you were sure to bump into Magnavox. One installation was connected direct with the Mayor's headquarters and evidently there must have been quite a little party there the night we visited the pier, because we were able to recognize the liquid tones of the Mayor's voice as they traveled out of the amplifiers of the many Magnavoxes, not only in the announcements as they came along, but running on in the chorus of "Hail, Chicago!" as well. Windsor ExhibitOver on one side we found an interesting exhibit by the Windsor Furniture Co. It had a very nice line of furniture on display, together with a full line of its well-known talking machines. One of the features here was a bedroom suite, wherein a beautiful young lady comes in and disrobes, while a Windsor talking machine is playing. After disrobing she crawls into the bed and the talking machine keeps on playing. This attracted a great deal of attention, especially from the males. Claxtonola Exhibit The Bernard Mfg. Co., of Iowa City, la manufacturers of the Claxtonola, exhibited its line of instruments, together with the Claxtonola records. Its advertisement, "Golden Throat" talking machine, drew quite a crowd to this booth, from which were given out sales leaflets snd souvenirs. (Continued on page 126) THE KAMP-O-PHONE ALL YEAR 'ROUND Always First Seller — Read the Reasons The popularity of the Kamp-o-phonc is built, first of a\i upon its splendid tone quality. To this quality we have added fine appearance, portability anil the advantage ol low price. No dealer could ask for better talking points for securing the Fall and Winter trade of the big popular-price market— the millions of homes where rooms arc small and often crowded— or the homes of the well-to-do, where a nursery phonograph (the Kamp-o-phone) would save wearing out a costly cabinet machine. The alert dealer will say, ' Buy the Kamp-o-phone for Winter to save room, save time and money— next Summer you will he already equipped for your outings." Sell Kamp-O-phoncs year und. DESCRIPTION Carries like a suitcase. Weighs 20 pounds. Mahogany case. Guaranteed three-record motor. Many other features. Retails for $35— at a generous profit to you. Write us. Use Kampo-phoncs to extend your business. * Q-PHONE Merchandise Distributors Co., 221 W. Randolph Si.. Chicago. I