The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-04
REPORTED BY PHoNooRAPH.
Gov. Green's Address Reelod on n
Metal Cylinder.

From the New York sun.
The first attempt TO record a public
speech by means of n phonograph was
made last Thursday evening at a Demo-
cratic rally in the Park Rink in Orange.
Very few OF the 5000 people present knew
that the curious funnel shaped arrange
mcnt just in front Of the platform was
there for that purpose. 1t, in fact, re-
ported the greater portion Of Gov. Green's
speech and that OF ex-senator Winfield.
The funnel, seven feet long, looking like
huge conucopia. was placed in front Of
the platform, with the large end pointing
toward it, The small end was connected
with the transmiitcr OF the phonognph,
which stood upon table about nineteen
feet distant from the mouth Of the
speaker. Owing 20 lack OF accommoda-
lions the large end Of the funnel was not
80 placed rs o. secure the best results. II
was about six feet lower than il was de-
signed 10 be, and was not directly in front
OF the speaker. Nevertheless the expert
ment appears TO have been very success
ful.
The phonograph was operated by Thco-
dore Wangcman and AN assistant, who are
connected with the Edison laboratory.
Eighteen cylinders were used, and the
portions OF speeches which were taken
occupied nearly two hours. Each cylinder
would last about seven minutes, and then
il had to be replaced with a new one.
There was a slight break caused by the
changing Of the cylinders, but this diff
Guilty can easily BE- obyiaiod by using two
machines Tie breaks, however, are not
serious. At the Edison laboratory yes
torday afternoon the change was accom-.
plished IN eight seconds.
After the meeting an exhibition was
given 81 thr power Of the instrument Sew
oal persons put the tubes 10 their ears,
aud the pleased and wondcriruck express
-ions OF their couutcnancCs testified that
they heard and understood what the ma.
chine said. Among these was Elitor ID.
!. Duun, Of ~, Orwg HT1d, who
claims the honor oi being the iini TO pub.
li-h q speech reported by tie phonograph.
Mr. puHn fays that hc could hear not
only every word distinctly, a. reported by
the machine after % had been carried 90
bis office, but be- could distinguish the In
Elections anihclr toe applause and cheers
aud music OF the band as plainly os though
they had actually been repeated. The adj
vantage OF the phunoguph over sicu1gra-
ply, be says, is thai one can get faithful
reproduction Of thc whole scpnc. Ia &C.
quincy can be- absolutely relied upon.
At the Edison laboratory the phouo-
graph was put IN operation, and the r..
porter 10y putting tho tubes 20 his ears,
heard the pororalion Of ex-senator Win.
fields speech.
"Proiccllonl Protection! Protection for
monopOlics and trusts" said thc phon0-
graph. 10 sounded as though We were fit-
ting IN . large hall close by the platform
and listening 90 speaker Of deep, 20.
norOus voice of extraordinary power. So
real did }, seem that one was surprised not
Co see tho orator whose vehement qucs-
tons be could picture. At the conclusion
Of his remarks there arose perfect storm
OF cheers, mingled with the clapping Of
hands and the stamping 0i feet There
could be heard confused mas, Of sounds
ns OF M audience rising 90 their iocl and
dispensing, amid conversation, laughter
and the playing Of band
The phono-Wph does not confno itself
to uiiemncvs made lor the benefit Of the
public. During one Of the srcychu. the
chairman Of The meeting addressed % ~.
mark 10 a brother politician, over which
they both laughed. Both the remark and
uic laughter wcrc recorded by tho trans.
mittcr
Experiments arr constantly being made
upon the machine, aul now ami better
form OF cylinders b. IN prUurs. q c1ustruc-
ton. Within two weeks another attempt
will be made, probably nj Orange, TO take
n public speech by the use OF tho phono.
graph. For this purpose funnel has
been constructed smaller than the one
used before aud Of different shape. With
this Il Is expected 90 attain even better &C..
suits than on last Thursday evening.