Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-03-25
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
.SpeciaL Correspondence.
NEW York, Mar. Is, 1878.

man dares to be incredulous regarding
the widest claims of inventors until he
has investigated them. The latest as
tonisher that has been thrown at . US, is |
that worthy successor of the telephone,
the phonograph. The startling perform
ance of this instrument, although it is
as yet very crude and imperfect, is
enough to awaken in the most matter-of- |
fact mind at least momentary sympa-
thy with the most extravaganza prophe-
cies regarding the future of scientific re-
search and inventive achievement
Like its forerunner, the telephone, the
monograph (or sound acriter'') has to
do with the human voice, but unlike the
former, is not dependent upon electrici-
ty for its operation. On Thursday even
ing, attended club reception, the
principal feature of which was the exhi-
bition and explanation by prominent
scientist and electrician of this wonder
full contrlvance When l speak of the
photograph as wonderful, refer to the
idea it embodies the machine itself be-
ing simple enough, consisting of an iron
wheel, say five inches in diameter, with
two-inch face, upon which is cut
continuous shallow groove like the thread
of fine screw, attached to the frame of
the machine, in such a manner that it
can be swung against or away from the
wheel at pleasure, is a small thin disc
or membrane of iron framed in mouth
piece, and having affixed to its outer
surface sort of pencil point of iron
when it is wished to use the instrument,
strip of tinfoil is bound smoothly
around the grooved surface of the iron
wheel. and the mouthpiece and disc are
brought down till the little iron pencil
point aforementioned touches this tin
foil. All is now in readiness. and the
person whose voice is to be reproduced
places his mouth to the mouthpiece and
talks, sings. whistles, or crows according
to his fancy, meanwhile revolving the
iron wheel by means of a crank provid-
ed for the purpose.
The result is as follows: The waves
of air, set in motion by the voice, strike
upon the thin iron disc before described,
and set it in vibration, which vibration
is transmitted to the pencil point, which
meanwhile Is following, and pressing
the tinfoil into, the spiral groove upon
the face of the wheel When the whole
length of the groove has been traversed,
the tinfoil therein displays series of
dots and ridges varying in depth and
fneness according to the molulation of
the voice producing them. By means of
thread on the crank, the iron wheel is
now turned back to the starting place
and the disc and pencil point being re.
placed in the groove is revolved at the
same speed as on its previous journey.
Then the listener usually to his amaze
ment, if not alarm, hears issuing from
: the mouthpiece, the identical words OF
musical tones which, few moments be-
fore had been poured into the same re-
ceptacle. The reason for this is evident
The pencil point, travelling rapidly over
> the dots, ridges in the tinfoil which il
had on its previous trip itself made, il
: caused to vibrate, and these vibration,
r transmitted back to the disc, are render
ed audible.
AS l have previously intimated. tn,
= photograph is still crude and faulty il
!. its working; but it is already successful
q enough to furnish strong hint of tn
: possibilities of the principle involved
When the continuance is entirely per
fected, who can tell what blessings ma,
not be conferred by this process of "salt
ing down. so to speak. the invisibl
tremors of the atmosphere In tn
8 words of a Philadelphia journalist,
4 housekeeper, for instance, who is goin
g out to spend the day, may speak int
: the machine full directions for the con
duct of affairs in her absence, and tn
servants can grind out instructions fror
f time to time, as they are wanted. If
:, mother, she may murmur cradle son
e into the mouthpiece, and have the nurs
. give the crank few turns each time til
baby stirs in its cradle. A naval office
y who is going upon long cruise ca
d spend two or three days at the machin,
l. and leave behind him enough convers;
d ton to entertain his family until his r,
% turn. A distant lover, having recorde
Il his vows upon the plate of the instrl
e, ment, can mail it to his darling, VIII
le may listen to the very tones of his voic
A husband, about to die, might pl
:, away enough of affectionate talk to col
st sole his widow in her loneliness unit
We she married again. 1t is great invcl
I'd ton.
If The history of general events for Il
ID week here is quite barren of interes
n The money question attracts perhal
more notice than any other. The une.
~ pected course Of gold which persists
r = lowering about par, has caused mut
es surprise, and has induced several firm
H. | among than Stawart'e rotail dano rtroap