The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-05-25

ty OF all the multifarious sOund-wayes.
that record of them can be made upon
plastic material by indentation. and
that they can be restored producing
upon the ear the same sensation as if
coming direct from the original source
indeed, Mr.. Edison claims that the
articulation of some individuals has
been greatly improved in the passage
through the photograph; that this
record can be removed and replaced
upon second apparatus without mutt
latlon or loss of effective power to vi
brate the second plate; that it requires
put ten seconds to remove the recording
sheet, and that it can be sent by mail
at slight cost for postage; that these
lndentations possess wonderful endur-
ing power, and that the record can be
multiplied indefinitely by electrotyping:
and that an audible reproduction NAV
be had "by speaking at the instrument
from distance of from two to three
feet IN loud tone" by the use :" of a
tiaring tube or funnel to collect the
sound-waves, and the construction of an
especially delicate diaphragm and en-
bossing point"
Inc most interesting part of the arti-
Gle Is devoted to the applications of
these properties of the phonograph.
Inc hrst OF these contemplates revo-
tuition in letter-writing. The record
sheet being placed in the photograph,
the matter is dictated and recorded.
The sheet is then removed and sent by
mail to the correspondent, who places
it upon his monograph and listens to
the voice of the NHrbA hoe -
As Mr.. Edison says: "Inasmuch as it
gives the tone of voice of his corre-
| spondent, 10 is identified. As it NAV be
filed away as other letters, and at any
subsequent time reproduced, 1t is q 1)e1'-
feet record. As to sheets of foil have
| been indented with the same facility as
single sheet, the writer may thus keep
duplicate of his communication. As
the principal of business house or his
partners now dictate the important
business communications to clerks, to
be written out, they are required to do
no more by the Photographic method,
and do thereby dispense oCith the clerk
and maintain perfect prjUacy in their
communications.
All kinds of dictation can be readily
effected by the photograph. 1t can
talk to the cOmpositor and record the
sayings of witnesses, counsel and Judge.
1t can be used as an elocutionary teach
er, or as primary teacher for children.
1t will reproduce music with marvel
GUS accuracy and power. AS the orig
inal record can be indefinitely multi
piled, and as he estimates that 40. 200
words can be placed upon a single met
al plate ten inches square, monograph
ic, self-reading books for the work
room, or sick-rOom, sold at very small
cost as compared with printed books,
are among the strong probabilities of
the future. He promises the children
for the ensuing Christmas holidays dolls
that will speak, sing, cry or laugh, and
every species of animal or mechanical
toy-such as locomotives, etc., supplied
with their characteristic sounds. 1.-THE
photographic clock will tell you the
hour Of the day, call you to lunch, and
sendyOur lover home at ten, ETC." There
will be conflict of opinion as to its
value for the latter purpose. The
stern "parient' will be prompt pa
iron, and the prospective mother-in-law
will rejoice at a scientific continuance
that can do her work for her in her own
suggestive tone of voice. The fond
lover will object to a sudden Interrupt
ton OF his passionate joys by loud
mouthed clock, shrieking at him in a tone
OF voice loud enough to heard all over
the house: It's ten O'CLOCK; 90 home,
Mr.. Brown The young lady who has
objections to her lovers early retiring
will distract the inner consciousness of
/ tho nhnnnnrap hic olpoly I,,r
back. Even as shrewd an inventor as
Mr.. Edison may find this probability
too difficult for him to accomplish.
The last and in Mr.. Edison's opinion
the most important, probability of the
future is a revolution in the present
system of telegraphy by the combina-
ton OF the monograph and telephone
principles He claims that by a very
simple device one vibrating disk may
be made to do duty for both the tele-
phone and monograph, thus stimuli
taneously transmitting and recording
the message, and enabling the CORE
| spondent to hear it while it is being re-
corded. He claims even now that his
''carbon telephone will already we'll
nigh effect the record of the phono-
graph. In closing his article, Mr.. Edi-
son thus alludes to the telegraph of the
future:
The telegraph company of the future-and
that no distant one-will be simply an organi-
cation having huge system of wires, central
and sub-central stations managed by skillfuI
attendants, whose sole duty it will be to keep
wires in proper repair, and give by switch or
shunt arrangement prompt attention to sub
scriber No. 923 in New York when he signals
his desire to have private communication with
subscriber No. 1,00l in Boston, for three min
utes. The minor and totally inconsequent
details which seem to arise as obstacles in the
eyes of the groove telegraph man. welded to
existing methods, will wholly disappear before
that remorseless Juggernaut-"t the needs of
man."
That Mr. Edison may live to see all
the probabilities he has outlined be-
come realities will be the very general
wish of the whole community, whose
needs he is so rapidly anticipating with
his wonderful discoveries. - Chicayo