The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

36 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. THE AUXETOPHONE EXHIBITED. A Remarkable Creation Which Is Destined to Play an Important Part in the Talking Machine Trade — Interesting Description of The Instrument — Costs $500. AN ENTERPRISING CONCERN (Special to The Talking Machine World.) World Office, 195 Wabasli avenue, Chicago, 111., July 7, 1906. W. N. Dennison, mechanical engineer in charge of the experimental department of the Victor Co., was here the latter part of this month, exhibiting the Auxetophone, the "Victor Co.'s latest and most wonderful inventiDn. In appearance the Auxetophone is similar to an ordinary Victor machine, set in a handsome cabinet, 28 inches wide, 36 inches high and 15 inches deep. In the cabinet is a one-sixtli horse-power mctsr, operating a rotary pressure blower, which generates a column of air which passes through a pipe into a tank which equalizes the pressure and from thence the air is fed into a filter, where the dirt and oil in the air is eliminated; the air then passes through a pipe into the doubie sound box, where instead of a diaphragm is a nicely balanced valve, the air passing through this valve and set in motion by the valve operated from the sound waves from the record. There is thus no direct contact with the reproducing parts — the contact is through the column of air. The scratching is thus reduced wonderfully — there is practically none. The scratch caused from roughness of groove or worn records is not reproduced to the extent of the ordinary machine, and besides this the Victor Co. the past year liave been able to overcome the scratching caused by defective recoiding in earlier experiences. It is estimated that while the ordinary machine reproduces 40 per cent, of efficiency of the original voice or instrument, the Auxetophone reproduces 80 per cent, efficiency, meaning, of course, both volume and quality. Notwithstanding the greater volume of sound as compared with the ordinary machine, it is claimed that the Auxetophone can be used in small apartments and residences to even greater advantage than the ordinary machine tecause of the purity of the quality and the absence of scratciiing, it being decidedly pleasant, all harshness being eUminated. For large halls the effectiveness is remarkable. The Auxetophone can be connected with an ordinary electric light plug, and can be operated on any style direct current and almost any style alternating current. The price of the Auxetoplione is $500. It lias progressed to a point where tlie Victor Co. consider it ready for the market, although they do net pretend to say that it has reached its ultimate development. Two liundred machines are now coming through tlie factory. Considerable work was done on the Auxetophone by Professor Parsons, the inventor of the steam turbine engine, but the Victor Co. acquired all the Parsons patents and have done the final work of developing it into a wonderful commercial machine. INVENTED FAMOUS VICTOR DOG. W. Barry Owen, one time general manager of the Gramophone & Typewriters, Ltd., London, Eng., and now a retired plutocrat on his estate at Martha's Vineyard Island, off the Massachusetts coast, was the originator of the worldfamous Victor dog. He piclted up the painting in London, and the original now graces President Johnson's private office at tire Victor plant in Camden, N. J. LARSON & WAGNER DISSOLVE. The firm of Larson & Wagner, Greenfield, la., established several months ago for the purpose of dealing in phonograplis, was dissolved by mutual consent Monday, the partners dividing the stock. Both members of the firm will continue In the phonograph business, but Mr. Wagner will devote the greater part of his time to the towns west of Greenfield. Is the Tea Tray Co., of Newark, N. J. — Have Built Up a Great Business in Talking Machine Supplies — An Interesting Chat as to Their Varied Achievements. The Tea Tray Co., of Newark, N. J., are generally credited with being the pioneer manufacturers of horns, horn cranes, etc., used in connection with talking machines, having been established about forty years. In a chat with a member of the firm recently, he set forth the following reasons why they have achieved success in this industry: "It has always been the policy of this company to m.ake only the best quality material, and this is the keynote of their success in the talking machine world. The word 'Pioneer' is used because of the fact that this company is acknowb edged to be the originators of the accepted standard black, and gold horns which are finishod with their famous enamel, which enabled th'^m to secure the gold medal at the Centennial Exposition in 1S76, over all domestic as well as foreign competitors. They have held their place at . the head of the line, and important improvements have been made, and are now being added. They also originated horns with 'reamed-on bells,' which is a great improvement over the old method of soldering bells onto stems. They were the first to make horns with swaged integral ferrules, which again did away with the possibility of ferrules becoming detached from the stems. When fiower horns came to the front, this company again showed their originality by making horns with concave petals, upon which they received patents. • These horns are by far the strongest and most attractive flower horns made to-day. They are finished with oil colors baked on in their extensive kilns; rather more costly to make, but this method upholds the reputation of this company for high-grade goods. "Horn cranes and horn stands have also been an important feature with this company. As far back as April, 1903, when cranes came into demand, a patent was issued, which embodies the essential features of the cranes to-day. Since this time, numerous patents have been issued to this company, and their position regarding horn cranes to-day is extremely strong. Other manufacturers have attempted to imitate and to take advantage of these original ideas, and the Tea Tiay Co. have found it necessary, and will continue, to maintain their rights by legal processes." The Tea Tray Co. announce that two new models of clamp horn cranes for the coming sea son are now ready. These models show marked improvement over the well-known No. 20 Crane, which has been so popular. Orders are being placed in very large volume for both horns and cranes covering the whole of the next season's requirements. Clement Beecroft, manager of sales of the Tea Tray Co., has just returned from a Western trip and reports business of immense volume, larger than ever before. During the week of July 16 and the week following, the visiting jobbers will be cordially received by the Tea Tray Co., either at the Hotel Imperial, 32d and Broadway, or at the factory at Newark, N. J., where it will be demonstrated how well prepared they are to care for the trade bestowed by their patrons. A large variety of goods are now on exhibition, which show a decided advance in quality and originality. The Tea Tray Co. have again largely increased their manufacturing facilities, which is a proof of the growing appreciation of their goods by the trade. APPROPRIATING "WORLD" ARTICLES. Some of Our London Contemporaries Use the Talking Machine World as a Source of Information, But Fail to Give Credit. The July issue of the Edison Phonograph Monthly, of London, England (not Orange, N. J.), which has just come to hand, is a number of more than ordinary interest, because, perhaps, it contains so many articles taken from recent issues of The Talking Machine World, for whicu by the way, in no instance, does credit appear. For the benefit of the editor of this publication, we quote the captions of a few of the many items appropriated from The World, namely: "Courtesy," "New Use for the Phonograph," "Se!l the Best," "Writes Phonographically," "The Phono in Pawn," "A Missouri Breeze," "Domestic Amenities," "Pointers on Trade Building," "Phonographic Tuning Forks," "Mrs. Edison's Gift," "Talkers for Summer Outfits," etc. Tne matter referred to covers a number of pages, and was specially written and paid for by The World. This wholesale appropriation, without credit, is a gross breach of journalistic courtesy, and we must appeal to our friends "across the big pond" to be fair. Another of our London exchanges in its latest issue has a "New York letter" made up entirely of items from our last issue, while spread throughout the pages are several other items, for which we fail to find credit given The Talking Machine World. The reproduction of these items may be a very sincere form of flattery, but we would prefer credit. The Russell Hunting Record Co., Limited MANUFACTURERS OF THE "STERLING' RECORD Are the LARGEST MANUFACTURERS of RECORDS IN GREAT BRITAIN. OUTPUT 125,000 WEEKLY. Every SterKng Master is Recorded by RUSSELL HUNTING WE GUARANTEE EVERY RECORD TO BE PERFECT iginator of the el Casey" Series. "STERLING" GOLD MOULDED RECORDS 25 CENTS EACH. LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR EXPORT. Canadian, New Zealand and South African Importers will save Duty by Importing: BRITISH MADE RECORDS, THE RVSSELL HVNTING RECORD CO., Limited 81, City Roatd, London, E. C, England