The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

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4 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. EDISON PATENTS NEW RECORDS. New Invention Provides for Hardened Surface for Ordinary Form of Wax Cylinder Records — Some Details of the Process. Thomas A. Edison has secured and assigned to the New Jersey Patent Co., of West Orange, N. J., a patent for a new method of making phonograph records so that the surface will be harder and present greater resistance to the wear of the reproducing stylus. This invention is especially designed to make it possible to record on the cylinder at the rate of 200 grooves per inch and still have a record that will resist the increased wear satisfactorily. As is the case with the ordinary cylinder records, Mr. Edison's new invention provides for a record made of wax or other easily molded material, but with the surface especially hardened. In describing the invention in his patent claims Mr. Edison says in part: "In the practice of my invention I preferably take a duplicate or original phonograph record, which has been made in any of the usual ways from the usual wax-like composition, and immerse it in a solution of nitrated cotton in any of the ordinary solvents used for this purpose, as, for example, acetate of amyl, which is commonly made use of for providing a liquid solution from which films are made for photographic use. I may. if desired, add a small percentage of camphor to the nitrated cotton, thus making a celluloid collodion solution, but this may be dispensed with. "I place the record upon a dipping mandrel having adjustable extension ends at each end of the record. It is then immersed in the solution while held vertically; it is then withdrawn and subjected to a gentle breeze from a fan — to slightly affect or harden the surface; it is then immersed a second time and subjected to the air. If the solution is rather thick, two such dips will give a sufficient thickness of film over the record when the latter is dried. Sometimes it is best to make the solution thinner, when three or more dips will be necessary. After the dips, the mandrel is transferred to a machine which rotates it in a horizontal position until nearly free from solvent, when it may be taken off the mandrel and set aside until the whole of the sclvent has evaporated, leaving a very hard, tough film on the surface of the record. "It is a remarkable fact, and entirely unexpected, that although the average depth of the indentations on a record is only half of one thousandth of an inch and the greatest depth one thousandth of an inch, yet, if the thickness of the film of the nitrocellulose when dry is three thousandths of an inch, a perfect replica of the record underneath is produced on the surface of the cellulose above, even to the finest detail, and what is more strange is that the depth of the wave is so little affected that the loss in the volume of sound is scarcely noticeable. "Very deep records can be made and the reproducing balls can be pressed with sufficient force against the cellulose as to cause it to follow the record without injury to it, which would be im possible if the ball was forced against the record surface below. Thus, the volume and quality of the sound can be increased, and the sound record can be used indefinitely without noticeable deterioration. "Other film-producing liquids may ibe used in place of the nitro-cellulose and its solvents, such as acetyl-cellulose in acetic acid." PROGRESSIVE NEWBURGH DEALERS Are John Schoonmaker & Son, Who Have Built Up a Splendid Business with the Columbia Line — Excellent Work Accomplished by Manager F. A. Munger — A Model Department. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Newburgh, N. Y., January 9. — The accompanying illustration pictures the talking machine department of John Schoonmaker & Son, of this city. It emphasizes the success a department can achieve when high-grade methods are used to exploit the products handled therein. This company, grade publicity when coupled with products of merit. Mr. Munger has also staged a number of interesting recitals at frequent intervals, which present the Columbia machines and records to the very best possible advantage. The department itself is a model of quiet and dignified refinement. The color scheme throughout is white enamel, and booths being finished in an attractive style with furnishings and decorations conducing to the comfort and convenience of the store's patrons. Although the Columbia department closed a remarkably good business during the few months it has been open, the sales staff is John Schoonmaker's Handsome Warerooms and Recital Hall. which handles the products of the Columbia Graphophone Co. exclusively, has been in the talking machine business only a few months, but in this short space of time has acquired an extensive high-grade clientele for Columbia machines and records that is growing steadily. The Columbia department of John Schoonmaker & Son, which is one of the largest department stores in this section of the State, is under the able management of F. A. Munger, who is a firm believer in the drawing powers of consistent high preparing energetic plans for a proportionately better year in 1914. George E. Lang, of Barton, Vt, is remodelling his phonograph parlor and has restocked with the new Edison Amberolas. Frank J. Butler, a live-wire and progressive Victor dealer at Pontiac, 111., is giving a series of recitals at his store that are attracting music lovers from many near-by towns. A Happy and Prosperous New Year to All 1913 is of the past, and 1914 is opening up before us. May the New Year bring to all, Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity To our dealers, through whose patronage our business in 1913 was by far the largest in the history of our company, we extend our heartiest thanks, and we shall, by the constant and never failing effort to improve our service, endeavor to warrant a continuance of this patronage and attract new trade, that we may familiarize them with EASTERN SERVICE and in turn number them among our regular dealers to whom we extend preferred consideration in the times of shortages of goods, which seem unavoidable at certain seasons of the year. To the Dealers Not Using Our Service We Say: Get Acquainted EASTERN TALKING MACHINE COMPANY 177 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, MASS. EDISON FOR NINETEEN YEARS TALKING MACHINES EXCLUSIVELY VICTOR