The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-10
MR. EDISOwS pgONOgRAPH

short time ago it announced that Mr.. Thomas A.
Edison, of MEMO Park n j. had invented instrument
which he called phonograph and which was construct
ed to produce sounds accurately that they originally
formed words the words themselves could be distinctly
heard when reproduced. Mr. Edison was formerly ele
graph OPERATOR but for several years past has given his
tire time to invenng instruments connected with ele
graphy Probably his most useful and certainly his best
known invention is that ofhe quadruplex system of ele
graphy which generally used in the United Sates
and by which four messages can be sent at once over the
same wire. at ..
The instrument is composed of brass cylinder about
four inches in diameter and about eninChesong which
thread cut coming from either end and passing through
nut journals To of these axles crank is attached by
which the cylinder is turned moving either way the
crank is moved This cylinder from end of it to the
other, has small lines cut into it and around it. By the
side of the cylinder and resting it, is pin attached to
vibrating plate which is mouthpeCe with small
hole leading to the plate Immediately over the hoe When
the phonogaph to be used sheet of lead paper is spread
the cylinder The words sounds to be reproduced
are made very close to the mouthpeCe andthe vibration in
the oCcasoned by their utterance the plate to
and the pin indens the lead paper upon the Cyn
der which, by the way is turned by of the crank
during the operation. The words being spoken the paper
ndented by the PIN and the crank turns the cylinder
back to its starting point funnel then placed over the
mouthpiece Mr. Edison used made of plain piece Of
writing paper. The cynderi then turned over the
space originally aversed and the sounds reproduced
accurately and be heard for several feet around the in
strument varying always with the loudness of tone in
which the words were spoken to the machine. After
ceving the nentatons made by the pin the lead paper
can be taken off the cylinder and by replacing it at any
other time the words be exactly reproduced. That is
what Mr. Edison thinks will make the machine practically
valuable When the reporter of the World entered the
in which heexhbition gven Mr. Edison wassingngt
the machine, "Tommy make room for your Uncle" The
reporter expected when the funnel placed over the
mouhpiece to only hear narticulae words reproduced
but he was astonshed in hearing the words of the song
quite as plainly he heard them when uttered by Mr. Ed
ison. Mr. Edison tried the effect of turning the crank
slowly and the slower moved the deeper was the sound
Of the reproduction As the crank moved faster they
again in shrill tenor
Mr. Edison then said to the instrument "Now is the win
ter of our discomfort made glorious summer" etc. Turn
ing the crank slowly Richard heard to speak with
deep and diaboc voice. Turning the crank rapidly, the
same words were heard in shril and petulan voice. as
though Richard in bad humor and did not care to
play his part.
The World reporter was invited to say something to the
photograph He approached the machine and stammer.
ngly said to it, The world is mine oyster and shall not
want" The instrument was readused the crank turned
again. and all that could be heard SHALL" The repor-
was embarrassed for he felt that the phonogaph was
propheticay mocking him. Mr. Edison, however, kindly
explained that the reporter had emphasized the shall"
that the other words lost In the reproduction
Several days ago Mr. Edison adjusted the phonograph to
the telephone and succeeded perfectly in sending con-
versaon the telegraph wires from his laboratory OF
Meno Park 10 Newark distance Of seven nilesM Y.
World