The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-04-03
THAT WONDERFUL EDISON.
Psrfscting the Photograph Beyond
Even the Dreams of the
CaricaturiStS,
Promising That II Shall Really Repeat
Full opera. Not TO Speak OF
n 5O0-Page Novel.
rNeu YorI, World.l

had been exchanged the reporter asked,
How is the phonograph to-day, Mr.. Ed
SOM ''Oh, about the same as usual" was
the answer; ''but come and ask it. 1t has
an answer for every man, and generally in
his own words"
The reporter followed MIR. Edison to an
upper room where the phonograph was
resting on table, and as the cylinder slowly
turned he shouted at it, pleasantly: How
are you?' Then the cylinder was shifted
backwards and again turped, and the phono-
graph cried out in the same cheerful tone
that the reporter had used: 'HOw are your
Mr. Edison seated himself before his
tavorite invention and talked, scolded
ang and whistled to it for a while, receiv
ing answers according TO his folly or his
wisdom. After few moments the professor
threw himself back in his chair and gaZed
abstractedly before him. Then he said, 1T
is funny, after all You have to pucker up
your mouth to whistle, but the photograph
doesn't pucker one bit. Martin" he con-
tinued, calling to one OF his workmen, come
here and sing bass for me"
A double mouthpiece was placed over the
diaphragm of the instrument and while
Professor Edison sang John Browns body"
in a loud voice at one side Martin struggled
at the other side with bass so deep that
the air vibrations were about only three
minute.
You didn't sing loud enough" said the
professor as he shifted the cylinder.
''Well, no, answered Martin; Il couldn't
Jest git the right chord. But we got IL
'hunky' the other day."
The crank was then turned, and the air of
the song was sung by the monograph with
an occasional far off bass note struggling to
be heard. Mr.. Edison thought ne could
improve upon this rendering and he again
sang the song solo 10 the same sheet of
foil. When the cylinder was revolved this
time the air burst forth with vigor, once or
twice failing to connect whee a note had
dragged in the second singing of the tune.
Mr. Edison now rested himself, and the
reporter cast his eyes about the room, at the
ceiling and on the floor. Overhead was
net of telegraph wires resembling huge
spiders web, all terminating in a large bat
terry placed in the center of the room.
DO you use all these wires asked the
reporter.
hOh, yes" was the answer.
why do you have that pipe organ that
stands in the corner
ITO record sound"
what is that thing over there
"a part of my aerophone."
"What is that other thing that man is
working ong'
An instrument for reproducing hand
writing l think it will be finished soon.'
What is this circular plate?"
"Oh, that's for taking messages"
The reporter now took turn around the
room. There were thousands of small and
oils ranged on shelves against three OF the
walls. There was hydrofuOsillcic acid,
.chloroform, ether, chloralhydrate, ammoni-
ated tinctures Of gum guaiac, iOdide OF po-
tassium, kerosene oil, sulphuric acid and
other things of widely different uses.
''What is the idea of your keeping whole
sale drug store here, Mr.. EdisonF' asked the
reporter.
''Well," answered the professor 81 keep
all of those things because don't know how
soon | may need them. Whenever see
new chemical or drug announced buy it,
no matter what it costs. Now, here some
thing prepared" and he handed the re-
porter bottle containing clear, straw col
ored liquid. That's com posed of morphine
chloralhydrate chloroform, nitric of smyle
cassia and cloves. These things have no
chemical ACTION on each other, and they'll
stop any kind of pain Immediately"
During all this time the telegraphIc re-
ceiyer at the other end OF the room had been
clicking with messages that were passing
over the wire. Suddenly there was a slight
change in the click, and Mr.. Edison, although
somewhat deaf, instantly detecting the vari-
alton, ran to the instrument and took by ear
message intended for him.
When he had read it he said: "By the way.
Professor Bartlett, of the university of
Pennsylvania, is going To deliver a lecture
soon, and half of 1t is to be talked to the
phonograph. Then I'll attach the instru-
to Philadelphia. l have just received a
letter." he continued Saying that the
phonograph has been exhibited before the
French academy, and that every one was
delighted with it. Mr., Hervey, the electri-
cian has sent me his congratulations"
Aren't you good deal of a wizard, Mr..
Edson?' asked the reporter.
"Oh, no." he answered, with one of his
pleasant laughs, II don't believe much in
that sort OF thing. went to see Heller the
other night His tricks are very good and
very smart, but / figured out all of them
excepting one. The second sight is the
thinnest of all. But come down stairs, and
I'll show you the new model of the phono
graph
The reporter followed Mr. Edison into the
work room, where about dozen lathes and
machines were in full operation. On one OF
the tables was the model. The improvement
in the photograph consists in a circular
plate being substituted for the cylinder, and
clockwork for the crank. This clock move
ment is a very important improvement
said Mr. Edison. ut ENSURES complete reg
ularity and accuracy, and can be thrown out
of and into gear instantaneously. We're
going TO start a publication Office in New
York when the photograph is ready"
what do you intend to puhlish%' asked
the reporter.
Music novels, general literature, and
many other kinds Of matter that are read by
persons and reproduced by instruments Of
their vocal organs for the benefit of them
selves and other persons. Take music tC
begin with. We will photograph orchestra
concerts by brass and string bands, lnstru
mental and vocal solos and part-songs. The
sheets bearing the sound impressions of thi
music will be removed from the phonograpl
and multiplied to any extent by electro
tipping, and persons can make selections o.
any compositions they desire. Then thi
music may be reproduced by any ph0nO
graph, with all the original sweetness anC
expression; and not only that, but the pitcf
can be raised or lowered by increasing o.
diminishing the speed of the photograph
''What will such a sheet OF music COST?
about 25 cents"
But how can you take an orchestra, wheE
ii is necessary, in talking to the photograph,
to apply your mouth close. to the diaph
ragm"
The phonograph will be attached to hol'
in one end of barrel, and from the othe
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