The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-03-16
A Speaking Telegraph.

We have heretofore given accounts af the
wonderful success of Professor Bell in
transmitting the vibrations Of the human
voice by electrical means over telegraph
wire. He has lately made improvements in
his method of transmission, by which he
dispenses with the use Of the battery, and
substitutes the magneto-electric plan of pro-
ducing the current. The Boston Ttdascipt
describes recent experiment with the new
apparatus, by which conversation and sing
ing was successfully carried on between Bos.
ton and Maiden, distance of six miles. The
telephone, in its present form, consists of
powerful compound permanent magnet to
the poles of which are attached ordinary tel
egraph coils Of insulated wire. In front Of
the poles, surrounded by these coils of wire,
Is placed n diaphragm Of iron. A mouth.
piece to converge the sound upon this diaph.
ragm substantially completes the arrange
ment As is well known, the motion of steel
'r iron N front of the poles Of magnet ere
,tes a current ofelectricity in coils surround
ing the polls Of the magnet, aud the duration
Of this current of electricity comedies with
the duration Of the motion of the steel n
iron moved or vibratea IN the proximity o.
Tie magnet. When the human voice causes
the diaphragm to y;brate, electrical undula-
irns are induced in the coils environing the
magnets, precisely analogous to the undula-
tpns of the air produced by that voice.
These coils are connected with the line wire
which may be of any length, provided the
insulation be good. The undulstions which
are induced by these coils travel through
the line wire, and passing through the coils
of an instrument of precisely similar con-
struction at the distant station, are again re-
| solved into air undulations by the diaphragm
of this instrument.
| The experiments were as follows: Tele-
phones having been connected with the pr.
vate teegraphc line of the Boston Rubber
Shoe Company, conversation was at once
commenced. Stationed at the Boston end
of the wire, Professor Bell requested Mr..
Watson, who was at the Maiden end, to
speak in loud tones, with view of enabling
the entire company at once to distinguish
the sounds.
This was so successful that smile of min
gled pleasure and surprise played on the
features of those present. That it, however
might not be supposed that loud speaking was
essential to intelligibility, Mr.. Bell explain ed
that soft tones could be heard across the
wires even more distinctly than loud utter
ances, even whisper being audible In
confirmation of this statement, Mr.. Watson
commenced speaking in turn with each
member of the company; and after the eff.
cheney of this method had been proved to
the satisfaction of all, he took up a newspa,
per and informed the assemblage that gold
had closed the previous evening at New
York at 1853. As there were quite num-
Der of business men present the effect thai
this practical demonstration OF the value O
the telephone produced can hardly be ex
aggerated.
Oth~ passages from the daily journals
were then given, and by this time the de-
sire for conversation having become gener.
al, Mr.. Watson was piled with questions
such as: SIS it thawing or freezing at Nal
den? Who will be the next President p
etc. 1t was remarkable that Mr.. Watson
was able to distinguish between the voice
at the Boston end, he calling at least on,
= gentleman by name as soon as the latte
commenced speaking ..... .......
This went on for some time, until a lad.
at the Maiden end sent the company an in
vitaton to lunch per telephone, and an ap
, propriate response was made by the sam
medium. At length the Boston compan,
were requested to remain quiet while a lad
at the other end conveyed to them the swee
strains Of music. The assemblage thereup
on listened with rapt attention while
, young lady commenced singing '.The Las
4 Rose of Summer" The effect was simpl
charming. The sound of the voice pene
trated into the Boston end of the telephon
with distinctness equal to that attainabl
' in the more distant parts Of large concel
room, and unanimous vote of thanks wa
: sent by the handy little instrument whic
had procured for the assemblage so agree
able an hour.--Scientyfc American. y'"