Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-08
A STENOGRAPHIC MACHINE.
A Most Wonderful Instrument Talk.
Catching and Reproduction.

Among the most important novelties
shown at the Turin Exhibition, the steno-
graphic machine of Signor A. Michela
merits special notice. Signor Michela has
succeeded in grouping into various series,
and in representing by means of certain
combinations, all the phonetic sounds
emitted in any language, and has formed a
notation of language perfectly similar to
that of musical sounds. AS soon as they
are pronounced, the different words so to
speak, are decomposed by the ear of the
operator at the instrument, and a graphic
representation of the syllables is printed
upon slip of paper which is drawn
through the machine, and from this they
can be read afterwards and transcribed
into ordinary writing, in order to repro
duce the speech, such as it has been deliv-
cred, in whatsoever language it has been
spoken.
The machine is described by P. lie Neve
Foster in the Journal Of The Society of Arts
In form it somewhat resembles a small
harmonium, is about Is inches in length,
by 10 inches in width, and inches in
depth, and is mounted on portable stand.
1t consists essentially of two parts First,
the printing mechanism: second. that re-
ferring to the automatic drawing forward
of the paper. The first consists of two
keyboards, similar to that of a pianoforte
or harmonium, arranged in symm etrical
manner, and having each 10 KEYS (6 white
and black. These keys when depressed
by the fingers of the operator, press on 20
studs, and through them a similar number
| of corresponding rods, and these lower the
ends of 20 metallic levers, the arms of
which have a constant ratio; and at the
same time the opposite end, which carries
style, is lifted upwards, and a sign or
al
upon the slip of paper. 1t is, therefore,
only necessary to depress one of the KEYS
in order to raise the style corresponding to
it; and if several keys are depressed at one
time, the corresponding combination of
signs will be printed upon paper. The ma
chine may be arranged as an embosser,'
or as ink writer" which latter is the pre-
ferable form, as the printing can be read off
quicker, and with less fatigue to the eye
sight than is the case when the signs are
produced in relief.
The mechanism referring 10 the drawing
| forward of the paper is also exceedingly
simple, and this motion can be produced
IN variety of ways. In the machine ex-
hibited, however, it consists of a small lid
placed horizontally underneath the 20 keys,
| and which, when any one of them is
| pressed down, moves the end of lever,
which, acting by means of q catch on a
1achet-wheel, causes it to revolve; spring
on the under side of the lever brings this
| latter back to its original position when the
pressure is removed. The ratchet wheel
which is fixed on the same axis with a
| friction roller. gives motion to another
roller placed above IL. so that the paper
band on another roller placed between the
two friciion-rollers which pull it forward.
is moved automatically at each impulse of
the ratchet-wheel caused by depression of
one or more of the keys The pressure of
these friction-roilers on the paper is regu-
lated by screw. and guide-bars are proyi-
ded for the printing styles.
| The essential feature in this invention is
the manner in which the graphic repre-
sentation of the various phonetic sounds is
obtained. and the various combination of
signs which correspond to the different syl-
tables and words could not be explained
| clearly here without special diagrams. The
manipulation of the keyboard of this in
struinent differs from that of an ordinary
piano, inasmuch as the same finger ALWAYS
operates upon the same to keys-a circum-
stance tending to facilitate its use, especially
among the blind. A skilled operator can
take down 200 words per minute in any