The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-23
What 1t VIII Do.

In the course of a very interesting
article written for the North american
Reviev by Mr.. Edison, the inventor of
the photograph, he gives statement
of the uses to which the instrument can
be put, and among them the following:
Dictation-All kinds and manner Of
dictation which will permit of the appli-
cation of the mouth of the speaker to
the mouthpiece Of the photograph
may be as readily effected by the
photograph as in the case of let
tiers. If the matter is for the printer,
he would much prefer, in setting it
up in type, to use his ears in lieu
OF his eyes. He has other use for them.
1t would be even worth while to compel
witnesses in court to speak directly into
the photograph, in order to thus obtain
an unimpeachable record of their testiss
mOny.
The increased delicacy of the phono-
gragh, which is in the near future, will
enlarge this field rapidly. 1t may then
include all the sayings of not only the
witness. bu: the Judge and the counsel.
1t will then also comprehend the utter
ances of public speakers.
Books may be read by the charitably-
inclined professional reader, or by such
readers especially employed for that
purpose. and the record Of such books
used in the asylums of the blind, hos
pitfalls, the sick chamber, or even with
great profit and amusement by the lady
or gentleman whose eyes and hands
may be otherwise employed; or, again,
because of the greater enjoyment to be
had from book when read by an elO-
cutionist than when read by the average
reader. The ordinary record sheet, re-
peating this book from fifty to hum
dred times as it will, would command
a price that would pay tine original
reader well for the slightly-increased
difficulty in reading it aloud in the
phongraph.
As an Evolutionary teacher, or as a
primary teacher for children, it will
certainly be invaluable. By it difficult
passages may be correctly rendered for
the pupil but once, after which he has
only to apply to his photograph for in
structions. The child may thus learn
to spell, commit to memory q lesson
set for it, etc.
The photograph will undoubtedly be
literally devoted to music. A song
sung on the photograph is reproduced
with marvellous accuracy and power.
Thus friend may in morning call
sing us a song which shall delight an
evening company, etc. As a musical
teacher 1t will be used to enable one to
master q new air, the child to form Its
first songs, or to sing him to sleep.
For the purpose of preserving the
sayings, the voices, and the last words
of the dying member of the family
of great men-the photograph will
unquestionably outrank the photo.
graph. In the field of multiplication Of
original matrices, and the indefinite
repetition of one and the same thing.
the successful electrotyping of the
original record is an essential. A
this is a problem easy of solution. il
properly ranks among the probabili-
ties. It comprehends vast 6eld. The
principal application of the phono.
graph in this direction is in the pro-
duction of photographic books
book of 10000 words upon q single me-
tallic plate ten inches square thus be-
comes a strong probability. The ad
vantages of such books over those
printed are too readily seen to neeC
mention. Such books would be lis
tened to where now none are read
They would preserve more than the
mental emanations of the brain of the
author; and as a bequest for future gen
erations they would be unequaled. Fol
the preservation of languages they
would be invaluable.
The only element not absolutely as
sured in the result of experiments thu
far made-which stands in the way o.
a perfect reproduction at will of AIDE
lima PATHS voice in all its purity-is thu
single one of quality, and even that i.
not totally lacking, and will doubles.
be wholly attained. II, however, il
should not, the musical-box or cabinet
of the present will be superseded by
that which will give the voice and the
words of the human songstress.
A doll which may speak, sing, cry OF
laugh may be safely promised our chill.
dren for the Christmas holidays ensu.
ing. Every species of animal or me.
chanical toy-such as locomotives, etc..
may be supplied with their natural and
characteristic sounds
The photographic clock will tell YOU
the hour of the day, call you to lunch
send your lover home at ten, etc.
It will henceforth be possible to pre-
serve for future generations the voices
as well as the words of our Washing.
tons, our Lincolns, our Gladstones,
etc., and to have them give us their
greatest effort in every town and
hamlet in the country upon our holi'
6ava