Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-04
TIE REPORTED ADVANCE IN PHoNoG.
RAPHY,

1t has always been complaint against
photography, that the art has not pro-
crossed to the desirable point that gives
us system producing results open to any
reader of photography. Each shorthand
writer has a popularity of style that
renders his notes practically unintelligible
to any other photographer. Now and then,
it is true, there are found writers who can
interpret each others "notes," but these
are the exceptions. 1t follows that the
photographer has the client at his mercy,
and can compel him to procure transcript
ton of notes." in order to have access to
them all. The fault is with the system,
since it is such that it is possible and com.
mon for short. hand writers to have an in
violable individuality of style in sound
writing. 1t is said that an invention has
been made public at the East that COM
pletely obviates the objections stated, and
also proves a great saving of money to
clients in litigation, because it is possible
to use the machine-writipg without
transcription, for there can be but one
style of it. This machine photographer is
small affair, weighing but two or three
pounds, and having but five keys. These
operate five type.bars that impress upon
paper strips which enter the machine simple
dashes, the relative positions of which to
aanh othar indicata q sound or cnmhina.
ton of sounds. This machine is be practi-
cally noiseless, and hence can be used in
Court.rooms, an audience chamber, or
lecture hail, without inconvenience. When
the operator has ceased recording the ad-
dress or testimony in sign-writing,
the Ems" is ready for inspection,
and may be Immediately inter
preted by anyone conversant with
the system. We have no detailed in
formation as yet regarding the worth of
the new invention, which is dubbed the
Stenograph, but if all is true that is said of
it, it is one of the most important discov-
cries of the day. 1t will not for long
time, Notwithstanding it to be meritori
ous-seriously injure the business of the
old time photographer, because from his
familiarity with the writing and interpre-
tation of sound contractions and sign uses
he will more readily acquire proficiency
under the new system than others, and |
thus he will be able to hold his own against |
the new invention. But as it is asserted |
that the new system can be learned by |
quick pupil in four months of close study |
and constant practice, whereas few men |
become reliable reporters by the present |
system under two or three years of labori- |
GUS effort and the most persistent perse-
verance, the machine will in time be the
means of filling the country with "operat-
ors, and the Short hand writer will lose
his exclusiveness. The new invention is pre-
cisely what was to have been expected. The
introduction of photography was one OF
the material aids of progress, and the uni
versatility of its application in business was
not at all surprising, In language and ex-
preston methods, means of communica-
ton and rapidity of transmission of
recorded thought, the art of shorthand
writing, the telegraph, the phono,
graph las yet in emb1yo), the tele.
phone, the variety of type-writers and
type.setting machines, and lastly the
stenogrAph, fare material inventions of
an era which in the worlds entire history
has not been approached for the brillancy
and usefulness of its discoveries.