The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. F. D. HALL very successful operator of a high-grade talking machine. This statement reflects no discreau on the machine or Oh Mr. Hall's ability to do a' very simple thing,, biit rathgr expresses his mental attitude, as he was not satisfied at the results obtained. He was enthusiastic regarding the potentiality of the records he played, but discontented with the effects produced from the records by the steel needle. With no thought of producing a marketable commodity, but simply for his own benefit, he commenced experimenting with a view of finding some material which, when, shaped in the form of. a needle and placed in the needle arm, would play a record without the scratching, hissing, rasping sound to which he objected. The story of the various stages of progress from this starting point to the fiber needle as it exists to-day is too long' a story to relate here. But it is an interesting story in all its phases. The detailed narrative of his investigations to find the correct needle material would, if told in detail, remind one of the wellknown f9,cts concerning Mr. Edison's researches in quest of a suitable material for the diaphragm of his phonograph. Suffice it to say that when Mr. Hall finally hit oh bamboo, conquered the tendencies of the material to bend by making the needle triangular in shape so as to give the necessary support to the point, he found that he not only had conquered the deficiencies he imputed, to the steel needle, hut had a "pin" which, instead of wearing a record, would tend to preserve it indefinitely, thus enabling the music lover whose enthusiasm enabled him to pay from $2 to $7 for a record of a master composer, sung or played by a master artist, to feel that he had made a permanent investment. The expressions of interest by visitors to the Hall home soon suggested the idea of marketing his invention. A patent, and a remarkably comprehensive one, was soon obtained. In the marketing of the needle prejudices had to be met and overcome, as is ever true of a radical departure from the conventional. The present sale of the fiber needle proves that this is rapidly being accomplished. Shipments of fiber needles are not only being made daily to all parts of this country, but to all parts of the world. A visitor to the factory is impressed with the apparently complicated processes necessary to produce a simple article. On one side ojE the large floor are stacks of imported bamboo poles which constitute the raw material. These poles first go to the circular saw, where they are sawed into blocks, then to the splitting machine, next to the polishing machine, thence the chemical baths, of which there are three. The first counteracts the oil in the fiber, the second imparts the quality of stiffness, and the final volatile bath thoroughly dries it. The next journey is to the -pointing machine, and last of all the smoothing machine. Then the finished product goes to the packer. A FINE LINE OF CABINETS. Talking Machine Co., of Chicago, Show a Large Number of Styles Made Up to Match Every Type of Victor Machine — A Feature Dealers Should Appreciate. (Special to The Talking Machine World. ) Chicago, 111., Oct. 9, 1908. New talking machine record cabinet stands, etc., have been simply raining in the West the past month. The Talking Machine Co. of Chicago, always in the front ranks of western progress, are out with the "cabinet that matches" and which is one of the most artistic things in the cabinet line that has made its appearance in a long time. The new line includes a cabinet to match every type of Victormachine. Some idea of the beauty of design can be obtained from the cuts shown elsewhere in this issue, but the cabinets will have to be seen themselves to realize the fine piano finish, the artistic carving and the symmetry of line. A distinctive feature of the "cabinets that match" is the fact that they are finished on all four sides and therefore they are as artistic a piece of furniture, placed in the center of a room, as backed against the wall. With__ the introduction of the "cabinet that matches," the Talking Machine Co. have entered the field as a manufacturer and certainly Manager Arthur D. Geissler's latest scoop is deserv ONE OP THE TALKING MACHINE CO.'S LATEST. ing of earnest consideration by all talking machine dealers. In chatting on the relation of record cabinets to the talking machine trade, Mr. Geissler said: "I have always believed that the talking machine cabinet is just as essential to an outfit as a horn. Many people have lost interest in their talking machines owing to the fact that they have never heen able to put their hands on the record they immediately desired to play. Many heartaches have been caused because of a scratched parlor table, or the breaking of a record of an opera gem. With the 'cabinet that matches,' the dealer is furnished with a potent argument in selling a cabinet at the same time with the machine. The customer buys a $60 outfit with some records. He has added a piece of furniture to his parlor which is in harmony — an outfit complete within itself. Each record is in its place, and the index easily denotes that place. Under these conditions is it not human nature for the customer to want to fill the cabinet? "There is no doubt that many talking machine dealers have neglected the cabinet business and therefore a powerful means for increasing profits. 45 Why not caljinets for records as well as bookcases for books? The former is just as essential as the latter, and I feel that the day is not far distant -when a talking machine sale will not be considered complete without a cabinet." EDISON BUSINESS PHONOGRAPH. Chicago Interests Placed in the Hands of the Business Phonograph Co. of Which Edwin C. Barnes Is Manager — Now on Wabash Ave. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, 111., Oct. 10, 1908. The Edison Business Phonograph Co., of Orange, N. J., announced last month that in accordance with their broader policy of establish EDWIN C. BAliiNJSS. ing dealers to extend the use of the Edison business phonograph in every part of the world they have appointed the Business Phonograph Co., of Chicago, as their Chicago dealers. The announcement continues as follows: "Our Chicago branch will be discontinued, but in this transfer of our interests we have carefully arranged for the same service as formerly through our dealers. "We are pleased to state that Edwin C. Barnes, Edison Jobber Zonophone Distributor New Design Wooden Disc Record Racks Wire Record Racks RECORD CABINETS SPRINGS for all makes and size machines "TIZ-IT" ^'^^ All-Metal Horn Connection for Cylinder Machines JAMES I. LYONS 265 Fifth Avenue CHICAGO