, 1878-08-15
An Exhibition of EdiSon's Wonderful
Talking Machine.

One of Eiison's phouogIaph rs maze HI
snpearauce before "A large audience yes
terdav afternoon in the FIRST Methodist
Episcopal Church, and talked and sang
;tsolf hoarse or rather talked and sang
until its little diaphragm became crack
ed. The exhibition WAS intended to Oe
for the benefit of the press and various
gentlemen of the city Interested IN sci
en,itic appliances, but there was a great
demand for invitations, and at the hour
appointed for the performance the audi
t6rium of the church was filled nearly to
the extent Of its capacity, many hdleS
being present. Mr.. George II; Bliss
well. known electrician, assisted by Mr.
George r. Mcdonnell, manipulated the
instrument, which was placed on table
upon the platform. >.
1t was not very formidable. looking
machine, being easily lifted, and not oc,
cupyiug moIe than two square teet ol
spsce. There was AN iron c! Under about
five inches in diameter and six in length
bayil Q thread cut into it screw shaped
An axle extending through the cylinder
projected at each end, and ais" having
thread corresponding to that on
the cylinder. At one end WAS an ordl'
nary crank, by which the cylinder could
be rapidly and easily revolved. AT the
end of an arm extending from the iron'
side was a coptryancc called the dla'
rhragm, because it was as close an lmita'
tion to the diaphragm OF the human
throat as could be devised. This dia'
phragm could be swung around until II
almost touched the face of the cylinder
1t consisted of small plate or disk OF
thin steel, having Concare surface IN
tended TO catch the sound, and attached
to which on the under side was minute
needle, which, when the diaphragm wa:
in place, would prick or slightly toucl
the cylinder. In order to work the in
strumert, it was only necessary to vino
sheet of tiu-foil about the cylinder ano
.alk or sing into the mouthpioce, The
vibration Of the air wonld cause the
needle to indent the tin-toil, the cyln'
der, of course, being revolved during
the operation. After the speaking WA:
finished it was necessary to swing back
the mouthpcce and turn the cylinder
back to the starting point Then cone
shaped funnel was attached to the dia.
phragm, which was again placed in posi-
zion, and the phonograph was ready t.
report the sounds which had been previ.
sllsly voiced into it.
Alter making an explanation OF the
workings of the instrument, Mr.. Bliss
proceeded to give the audience practi'
cal illustration of its powers. Leaning
over the mouthpicce, he exclaimed in q
voice that must have been audible across
the street:
"Holloal Halloa! Mr.. Phonograph
are you therel"
This situation, which might have been
addressed with great propriety to the
ghosts at spiritual seance, was faithful
ly echoed back by the phonograph n few
moments later, after the cylinder had
been turned back. The voice of the in
strument was weak, but it was evidently
there.
San right all rightm shouted the op
orator, and "All right all right" came
the faint aud seemingly far-off response
Mr.. Bliss explained that he was not al
experienced hand at this kind of speech
making, and he might not do justice t.
the instrument. However, he would try
again:
"The phonograph presents its compli
ments to the press OF Chicago and III
friends assembled to-day to witness its
performances
This sufficiently long sentence came
sut Of the funnel, not without severa
breaks, yet ineligible to the careful lis
tener. The lecturer then turned to the
audience and said that the phonograpt
was yet in its infancy, but had already
learned the alphabet. He therefore ad
dressed the preCocious infant as follows
81 say, Mr.. Phonograph, can you say
your lettersl Let us see what you car
do: A, b, c, d, c, f. 6, h, i, j, k, |, m, n, o
p, 9, re, t, u, v, w,x, W."
Evidently the phonograph was strong
on the alphabet, for each letter came ou
plainly, to the great delight of the audi
ence, who applaudcd loudly.
I'VE will now examine the instrumen
in spelling," said the lecturer and turn
ing to the willing machine spoke into j
as follows:
"Spell boy, boy, girl, girl, hat
hat"
The operation was performed as indi
Gated, although the word girl was enun
ciated palmer than any of the rest, as i
the phonograph had special fOndnes
for that section of the human race.
"Try Massachusetts," continued Mr.
Bliss; and after him the machine repeat
ed, M-as-s.a C, h.u-s-e-t-t-s. The mum
bers from one up to twenty were ais,
given.
snow We will drop into poetry" sal,
Mr. Bliss, doubtless having in mind tn
illustrious Mr.. Wcgg; and accordngl,
ne repeated the stanza:
Mary had little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to 60.
The instrument rambled and slurred
little on the first part of this piece, bu
came out strong and triAmphantly OF
the last line.
After giving an imitation of STAN
L..