The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

The Talking Machine World Vol. 18. No. 1 New York, January 15, 1922 Price Twenty-five Cents TALKER" INTERESTS INVENTORS GETTING IDEAS THROUGH EMPLOYES AUTO OWNERS ARE GOOD PROSPECTS Articles Appearing in Scientific Magazines Indicate That Inventors and Theorists Are Watching the Talking Machine Trend These Days That young inventors and persons with an original trend of thought are more and more considering the development of the talking machine as a field for their activities is evidenced from the number of new ideas both practical and fantastic which are appearing in a number of publications devoted to various branches of science and invention. In a recent issue of Science and Invention there appeared no less than seven articles dealing with the talking machine. One article deals with a recordless talking machine, on which selected selections may be played by pressing a series of electrical buttons, which make contact with a central exchange, similar to the telephone exchange. At the exchange there are hundreds of miniature records electrically connected and any number of people can listen in. Another article deals with a novel talking machine cabinet which was presented to E. C. Morse as a surprise by the joiner shop in his shipyard. Dr. Harry A. Knauss, inventor of a metal phonograph record, describes his invention and other articles deal with a home-made electric talking machine and a patented apparatus for recording and reproducing sound. A lengthy article entitled "A Scientist's Dream of Future Movies" describes a motion picture theatre which is equipped with various electrical switches at the seats. Several different photoplays are flashed on the screen simultaneously and spectators can view either picture by simply pressing a button. This also has the effect of providing synchronized talking machine music for the picture which the spectator desires to see. The music is heard through an apparatus similar to a telephone receiver which fits over the head. Verily, the world does move! JONES CO. OPENS IN GRAND ISLAND Grand Island, Neb., January 7. — The Jones Music Co. has recently opened a new music store at this point, carrying a complete line of Brunswick phonographs and records, and also the leading lines of pianos and sheet music. Mr. Jones is very well known throughout the Middle West, having formerly been connected with the Gaston Music Co. as manager of its Grand Island branch. He was connected in this capacity for a good many years, and has proved himself a real live musical merchandise man. Mr. Jones has one of the finest music houses in Grand Island, and anticipates a wonderful amount of business from this new location. He has working with him in the business his two sons, who are both very aggressive salesmen. NEW VICTOR SHOP IN JOHNSON CITY Johnson City, N. Y., January 6. — A new exclusive Victor establishment, to be known as the Music Shop, has been opened at 237 Main street here. This is one of the most attractive stores in this vicinity. Complete modern equipment, consisting of record demonstration booths and record racks and a complete stock of Victrolas and Victor records, has been installed. THE BRUNSWICK IN MOUNT VERNON E. Brodbeck & Sons, the well-known music dealers of Mount Vernon, N. Y, have secured the representation of the Brunswick phonograph and records in addition to their other lines for the Mount Vernon territory. The chronic kicker has a bootless occupation. Most generally he hasn't a leg to stand on. Merchant Forms Idea Club and Awards Prizes to Employes Submitting Best Suggestions There is great danger in every business establishment of getting into a rut. The talking machine business is no exception and when the manager or head of the business depends upon his own ideas exclusively and neglects to weigh the opinions and suggestions of the members of his staff he is soon operating his business on a stereotyped basis and that vital element which we know as originality is lost. One merchant has overcome this danger by instituting an "Idea Club," of which all the employes of the establishment are members. Each employe is expected to submit a number of ideas in written form each month to the manager, the most practical of which are selected by the head of the firm and then discussed in a general meeting of the staff. Prizes are awarded each month to the three employes submitting the best suggestions. The success of the innovation is evident from the fact that out of thirty-five suggestions submitted twenty-one were adopted and put into immediate practice. NEW RAINBOW RECORD DISTRIBUTOR Cabinet & Accessories Co. to Look After Wholesale Distribution of the Rainbow Records in Rapidly Growing Metropolitan Territory The Rodeheaver Record Co., manufacturer of the Rainbow records, with headquarters in New York, announces the appointment of the Cabinet & Accessories Co., Inc., 145 East Thirty-fourth street, New York, as exclusive joober for Rainbow records in the metropolitan district, and ali orders from dealers will be handled through the new distributor in the future. A. J. Heath & Co., recently appointed Rainbow record distributors in the Philadelphia and Baltimore territories, have done a substantial business in those records during and since the holiday season, according to reports received at the Rodeheaver Co. offices. URGE PATENT OFFICE PAY RAISE Victor Talking Machine Co. and Edison Co. Notify Congressmen of Their Desire for Action on Patent Office Pay Raise Bill The Victor Talking Machine Co. and the Thos. A. Edison Co. are actively engaged in the move to stimulate action on the bill providing for increases in the pay of patent office employes. In addition to a large delegation of patent attorneys and business men from New York and New Jersey which visited Washington to attend a conference with New Jersey Congressmen for the purpose of speeding up action on the bill, which is in committee in the House of Representatives, the Victor Talking Machine Co. and the Edison Co., as well as other business houses, sent letters to the Congressmen strongly urging that action be taken immediately. CONCERTS AID SALES CAMPAIGN George M. Burt Co. Inaugurates a Series of Concerts as Part of Its Sales Campaign Endicott, N. Y., January 7. — The talking machine department of the George M. Burt Co.'s store here has been making an effective sales drive in the interests of Victor, Edison and Brunswick machines, which it handles. A series of concerts and extensive advertising in the local papers are proving of considerable value in increasing sales. In addition to the talking machines an extensive stock of Victor, Brunswick and Edison records has been installed for the benefit of patrons. Names of Automobile Owners in the Community Can Be Secured From Local Garages A live prospect list is one of the most important adjuncts to a successful business; therefore the talking machine dealer should pay particular attention to the formation of these lists and he should be sure not to overlook any good tips. Automobile owners now form a large part of any community and as a rule this class of people have the money to indulge their tastes in music. One way of getting the names of automobile owners is through the local automobile agencies and garages. Some of these may be reluctant to give out any information which they have, but the dealer can overcome this by making a trade; that is, by offering in return for the desired information a selected Hst of names which he already possesses and which might make good automobile prospects — -with the understanding, of course, that the matter be entirely confidential. AN INGENIOUS ADVERTISING IDEA Victor Dealer Gains Publicity and Stimulates Caruso Record Sales by Furnishing Musical Prologue to Moving Picture Show in His City Lynn, Mass., January 2. — Some valuable advertising was obtained recently by John Z. Kelley, Victor dealer of this city, through an ingenious publicity stunt. Mr. Kelley persuaded the manager of the Waldorf Theatre in Lynn to allow him to furnish a free "act" consisting of Caruso records exclusively, to be used as a prologue to the regular moving picture show. Permission was granted and when the curtain was raised there appeared a room in the center of which was a Victrola. On one side of the stage was a sign bearing in letters large enough to be seen at the back of the theatre the announcement "Memories of Caruso," and beneath this, in smaller letters, the name of the dealer who furnished the instrument. In the lobby of the theatre was shown a large picture of Caruso. The reception of this novelty was enthusiastic and the sale of Caruso records was considerably stimulated. The manager of the theatre, who operates several of them, is trying to arrange to have this same feature embodied as part of the program in his other theatres. MAKES RECORDS OF INDIAN MUSIC Indian Songs and Chants of Seven Tribes Recorded by Native Singers for Miss Frances Densmore, Who Is Doing Much Good Work Red Wing, Minn., January 2. — A valuable and interesting series of records of Indian war songs, folk songs and chants has been made by Miss Frances Densmore here. Miss Densmore goes among the various tribes, selects the best and most typical musicians and persuades them to sing into her talking machine. The songs of seven tribes of Indians living on reservations have been gathered in this manner. These include songs of all phases of their every-day life, those used in treating the sick, dance songs, war songs and Indian drum playing. GOES AFTER TRADE AND GETS IT Burgettstown, Pa., January 3. — "If Mahomet won't go to the mountain the mountain will come to Mahomet." L. M. Lytton, of this city, believes in this proverb and is proving it every day by taking a Granby on the rear of his Ford and going out through the mud-roads to the mining communities. Mr. Lytton also believes in selling the higher-priced Granby, and is now introducing Granby consoles. He wastes no time in his store, but puts his faith in the above quoted proverb. See tecond last page for Index of Articles of Interest :n this issue of The World