The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-03-02
Speech Bottled Up.

When the veraciOus Munchausen described the
trumpeter's music as freezing on an excessively
cold day, and tbawing out during mild weather.
in audible sounds, the tale found a fixed place
in literature because of its apparent utter absur-
dity. Yet if the newly invented photograph does
what is expected OF it, music and speech itself
may be boxed up and set aside for indefinite peri-
DDS, and when needed be again produced in
sounds similar to the original ones. The teleph-
one has shown us how sound can be transmitted (;
the monograph is to show us how sound may
be preserved. The former has pointed the way
for the invention of the latter, and as a mere
matter of probability, judged from its mechanism,
the photograph would seemed more likely to do
its work than the telephone did when the idea of
transmitting sound was first brOached. In the
telephone, sO~und-waves must be translated into
electrical pulsations. and these translated back
into sOund-waves; and nothing short of the actual
experiments would have proved that electricity
could perform this office. In the photograph,
the whole procedure is simply mechanical cleo
tTicity is not employed.
An invention that promises to speak for itself
to give to our ears sounds when weeks, months
and years may have elapsed since their utterance;
that may even restore to us the voice of the dead.
is of sufficient Importance to Justify a brief ex-
PLANTATION of its character. The sound that is re-
ceived IN the phOnograph vibrates a small disk
which carries a steel point at its centre. The vi
brating movements of this point are IMPRESSED
upon a sheet of tin foil by an ingenious contri-
vance. A cylinder is provided, whose axle is q
screw hence when the cylinder revoIves it also
moves in the direction of its length. The cylinder
is grooved spirally its grooves correspond to
the screw threads of its axle. Around this
grooved cylinder tin foil is wrapped. The cylin-
dor 10 than rayOIrnI -b;ID a.. 49, -
disk touches the foil-covered surface, and the
vibrations of the disk are impressed upon the foil.
Here, then we have a record of the speech or song
which has caused the disk to vibrate. To repro
duce this sound, it is only necessary to reproduce
those vibrations. This may be done by again
turning the cylinder, so that the foil may press
against the point of the disk. Whatever has
been impressed on the foil will thus occasion in
the disk corresponding vibrations. The sounds
thus reproduced are said to be distinctly recog-
nizable, both as to tone and words. Of course.
the cylinder must reVolve at the rate when giving
as when receiving speech or music if that point
is kept in view the peculiarities of voice which
constitute its quality may also be reproduced.
As this whole continuance is purely mechanical,
means will, doubtless, be found for intensifying
the sounds; but already they are said to be re-
cognizable to an audience of ten or twelve per-
sons. Perhaps it may also be made capable of
recording and preserving any sounds uttered
within hearing distance. A ~testator. sound in
wind, may read his last Will and testament at
such a machine, and then have it carefully boxed
up and put aside. Then when the expectant
heirs are gathered around the cylinder can be
started. and from it, in the very accents of the
deceased, will come the solemn words, In the
name OF God, AmenW A relay of successive
a-lS.lo.- --.-Ia
cylinders might be provided for an opera or a
debate in Congress, and the whole sound may
be reproduced by means of telephones at loca-
lities miles away, or perhaps be stored up for
reference and use hereafter. The telephone can
only be used where there is communication by
wire the phonograph can be sent by messenger,
and would ensure a secrecy that the telegraph
or a written message cannot provide, since If the
be turned at a wrong rate, nothing but
can be uttered. For cipher messages
this would be safer than Nephew Pelton's die
If the tones of delivery can be suGi-
GENTLY increased, congressman may save them 6
selves much trouble. They may deliver their I
set speeches to the machine. and lay it aside till
the opportunity comes for delivery when the
moment arrives the machine can be 4
set up in front of the speaker, and, being started, /
address the house without risk OF Interrupt
ion or calls 10 order. With relays of machines :,
member who had the floor could Thus talk \
against time, if needul. indefinitely, while per- P
onally he was enjoying a cigar in the corridor {
drinking iced tea in the restaurant. !
We have indicated a few uses for the talking
but really, in this land of free speech:
is impossible to forecast its full career.-N. Y. 4
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G0RDAGE, CANVAS,
AUCK. WINE. ETC. Nh A ETH. LINE al