The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

Record Details:

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THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 57 ordinary form and the improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of the ordinary trip stop in its relation to the turntable. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a part of the invention with the elements in one position, and Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 with the parts in another position. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a record of disc form showing the grooves which are made on all records. Sound Box for Talking Machines. Leon F. Douglass, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J. Patent No. 902,280. The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction in, and relating to, sound boxes for talking machines, such that the quality and clearness of the sound produced thereby will be greatly improved, and whereby the action of the sound box, as concerns the effect of the vibrations of the stylus or needle caused by the record, will also be made more nearly perfect. In the art relating to talking machines, and the recording and reproduction of sound waves, difficulty has been experienced in that the coarse and other vibrations of the sounds which have been recorded have been too great for the diaphragm of the sound box when reproduced from a disc record. These sounds composed of vibrations of greater amplitude also have been accentuated or made abnormally pre-eminent, so that the effect of the more delicate sounds and vibrations has been reduced, and the tone and quality of the reproduction thereby impaired. The object of the invention, therefore, particu larly relates to such a construction in connection with sound boxes that these harsh undesirable vibrations may be eliminated or reduced to such an extent that they retain the requisite intensity to give a pleasing effect when taken in connection with the other vibrations of less amplitude and greater frequency. It is evident that the inertia of the parts of the sound box, and the support therefor, to which the stylus bar and diaphragm are connected, have considerable effect upon the waves produced from the latter. That is, if the parts are held rigidly in position, the sound produced by the diaphragm will correspond exactly to the line traced by the siylus point, and if there are vibrations of greater amplitude and less frequency, such vibrations will be reproduced in substantially the same manner that they are recorded by the recording machine, and since sounds having waves of different amplitude are not all recorded with the same ease and accuracy, the sounds which are most easily recorded will be accentuated in the reproduction. This is especially true of the coarser vibrations of the male voice and the notes of the larger wind instruments in bands and orchestras. It is also true of certain vibrations in the reproduction, which cause a hollow or tubby sound in connection with the music or words reproduced. This invention is particularly intended to overcome the above-mentioned defects. It has been found that when the sound box of a talking machine, or its casing, is mounted upon an elastic cushion or backing, so that said casing may move independently of the sound box support, the harsh vibrations which would otherwise be undesirably accentuated in some forms of reproducing machines and also the tubby sounds, have been eliminated. This result is occasioned by the relation between the inertia or mass of the metal of the sound box or its casing, and the amount of elasticity of the cushion or connection between said metal and the arm or support of the sound box. That is, when the stylus or needle follows the finer and more rapid sinuosities of the record groove, the inertia of the sound box is great enough to prevent the casing and diaphragm from moving or oscillating with the needle or stylus bar; but when the needle traverses the greater or coarser sinuosities, which must necessarily be of less frequency, the oscillating force is, therefore, greater, and at the same time slower and in acting upon the stylus bar and diaphragm causes the sound box or its casing to oscillate more nearly in synchronism therewith on a diameter at right angles to the stylus bar, instead of vibrating the diaphragm transversely as a whole. It will thus be seen that the diaphragm is not put under such a strain, nor is the same distorted to such an extent as to communicate the full force of the vibrations in the form of sound waves to the sound conveying means or amplifying horn. Briefly this invention comprises the providing of an elastic cushion or connection between the sound box support or tube, and, the sound box or its casing, said cushions being of such a size, consistency, and form, and being held in such a manner that an elastic and yielding mounting is given to the sound box or the casing thereof, which allows the same to be oscillated transversely about a central diameter or axis which is transverse to the axis of the sound box. Figure 1 is an elevation of improved sound box; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof, and Fig. 3, a view showing the essential parts of the sound box, as concerns this invention, cut away and partly in section. in Philadelphia, is extremely busy. Orders are coming in from dealers for Star talking machines, and those who have placed sample orders have expressed themselves more than pleased with the results obtained from the trial order. The Star records, too, are claiming a goodly share of trade, even in these times, and, in fact, there is an increased demand now for all of the Hawthorne & Sheble specialties, which include talking machines, records and accessories of all kinds. NEW EDISON LAUDER RECORDS. The National Phonograph Co. have issued three more Edison records by Harry Lauder, who is again scoring a tremendous success in this country. They are entitled: "That the Reason Noo I Wear a Kilt" (13757); "Inverary" (13758); "Callaghan" (13759). Lauder's reappearance in New York has certainly created a fresh demand for all his records. It is safe to say that not in years has a European singer visited this country who made such a genuine hit as has this humorous Scotsman. "TALKERS" EOR fflNDOOS. Some time ago Wesleyan missionaries introduced talking machines in their work in India, and it now develops that the Hindu priests have also begun to employ the machines in order to counteract the effect -of the missionaries' preachings. The machines are portable and are sent to the most inaccessible districts of the empire. Truly, the "talker" acknowledges no creed in religion or code in politics. DEMAND FOR STAR PRODUCT. VISIT COLUMBIA PLANT. E. A. Hawthorne Reports Improvement in Trade β€” Star Machines and Records Growing in Popularity. E. A. Hawthorne, president of Hawthorne & Sheble Co., was one of the visitors to town recently. While Mr. Hawthorne is not old in years, yet he is one of the men whose service in the talking machine trade ranks among the first in point of service. While discussing business with The World, Mr. Hawthorne took occasion to emphasize the improved condition of trade, and he felt that conditions were brightening all the time, and that it would only be a short time before they would be almost back to normal. The big plant of the Hawthorne & Sheble Co., Captain Lorocchio, of the Italian cruiser "Fievamosca," and Captain Winslow, of the United States battleship "New Hampshire," inspected the factories of the American Graphophone Co., at Bridgeport, Conn., recently, and upon leaving the plant both were presented with handsome graphophones, with silver horns, appropriately engraved plates being attached thereto. THE AUTOMATIC SOUBRETTE. "I suppose your play starts with a housemaid dusting the furniture and soliloquizing about the family affairs." "No, we've cut all that out. Instead we have a vacuum cleaner with phonographic attachiment." Stop-Look-Listen ! With the election of President out of the way, " look out for the cars of trade." You are going to have the biggest holiday trade in the history of your business. Prepare for it. Don't be "skimpy." Don't be fearful. STOCK UP. If you haven't got what the people want β€” and they're going to want a lot the other fellow will have it. Put in a big stock of Phonographs with the new attachment for Amberol Records. The greatest inspiration the business has ever had is this Amberol Record β€” doubles the usefulness and pleasure of the phonograph. We can ship all orders the day received. We have the courage of our convictions, and have to-day the largest stock in every line of every character. Don't believe you can ask for anything we haven't got on hand. And with quality right, price right, shipments prompt, " square deal " for allβ€” we want your trade. Phone rush orders at our expense. American Phonograph Co. 106 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Mich.