The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-01
An Exhibition of EdisOn's Wonderful
Talking Machine.


ed. The exhibition was intended to be
for the benefit of the press and various
gentlemen of the city interested in sci
entifc appliances, but there was great
demand for invitations, and at the hour
appointed for the performance the audi
torium of the church was filled nearly to
the extent of its capacity, many ladies.
being present Mr.. George II. Bliss, a
we'll. known electrician, assisted by Mr..
George II. Mcdonnell, manipulated the
instrument, which was placed on table
upon the platform.
1t was not a very formidable looking
machine, being easily lifted, and not oc-
cupying more than two square feet of
space. There was an iron cN Under about
five inches in diameter and six in length,
havii G thread cut into it screw-shaped.
An axle extending through the cylinder
projected at each end, and also having
screw-thread corresponding to that on
the cylinder. At one end WAS an ordi-
nary crank, by which the ylinaer could
be rapidly and easily revolved. At the
end Of au arm extending from the front
side was contriyance called the dia-
phIagm because it was as close an imita-
ton to the diaphragm OF the human
throat as could be devised. This dia-
phragm could be swung around until il
almost touche lathe face Of the cylinder.
1t consisted of u small plate or disk OF
thin steel, having concaye surface in
tended 10 catch the sound, and attached
to which on tie under side was a minute
needle, Which, when the diaphragm was
in place, would prick or Slightly touch
the cylinder. In order to work the in
strumeLt, ii Was only necessary to wind
sheet of tiu-toil about the cylinder and
'alk or sirg INFO the mouthpiece. The
vibration OF the air would cMsc the
needle TO ndent the tin-toil, the cylin
der, of course, being revolved during
tie operation. After the speaking was
finished it was necessary TO swing back
the mouthpiece and turn the cylinder
back to the starting point. Then 4 cone
shaped funnel was attached to the dia-
phragm which was again placed in posi-
ton, and the phonOgraph was ready II
report the sounds which hal been previ
ously voiced into it.
After making an explanation of the
workings of the instrument, Mr.. iss
proceeded to give the audience practi-
ca! illustration of its powers. Leaning
over the mOuthpiece, he exclaimed in u
voice that must have been audible across
the street:
"Halloa Haliol! Mr. Photograph, |
are you there.'
THIS sa.utatiou, which might have been
addressed with great propric;y to the
frita 1T 50 : f,,1
ly echoed back By the phonograph few
moments later, after the cylinder had
been turned back. The voice of the in
strument was weak, but il vas evidently
there
"All right all right" shouted the op
orator, and 'All right! all right came
the faint and seemingly tar-off response.
Mr.. Bliss explained that he was not IN
experienced hand at this kind of speech
making, and lie might not co justice TO
the instrument. However. he would try
again;
The phonogvaph presents its compli- /
ments to the press of Chicago and It's
friends sembled to-day to witness its !
performances"
Thi- sufficiently long sentence came
out Of the funnel, not without several
break, yet Ineligible ~ the care fu, lis
tenrr. The lecturer then turned to the
audience snd said that the phonograph
was yet 10 its infancy, but had already
learned the alphabet. He therefore ad-
dressed the precocious infant as follows
Il say, Dir. PhOnograph, can you say
your lettersi Let Us see what you can
do: \, b, C, d, e. T, g, h, j, j, k, !, m, n, o,
p, q, r, :, I, u, V, ", x,y,z."
Evidently the phonograph was strong
on the alphabet, for each letter came out
plainly, 10 the great delight of the audi
ence, Who spp!auded loudly.
I'VE will now examine the instrument
in spelling" said the lecturer, and turn.
ing to the willing machine spoke into i,
as follows:
"Speil boy. bov, girl. girl. hat
hat"
The operation " as performed as indi.
Gated, although the word girl was enun
ciated palmer than any OF the rest, as if
the phonograph had special fondness
for that section of The human race
TRY Massachusetts,, continued Mr..
Bliss; and after him the machine repeat.
ed, NJ a s-s-a h-u-s-e-t-t-s. The mum.
bers from one up TO twenty were also
given.
"Now We will drop into poetry" said
Dir. Bliss, doubtless having in mind the
illustrious Mr.. Wcgg; and accordingly
he repeated the stanza:
Mary had a little lamb.
It's fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go.
The instrument rambled ard slurrei a
little on the first part Of this piece but
eapna ..rppn ard tr,upo ba m