The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-06

Edison's phonograph is in Memphis; ii
has been seen and heard by as many as a
hundred people. THE APrE,L learned
last night that Mr. Frank Alexander, Of
New York, was in the city stopping at the
Gayoso hotel. An ArPEAL representative
fastened, with much enthusiasm and in
tcrcst to sec the machine, and came away
with his enthusiasm andintcrcst increased
Il thousand fold. Mr.. Alexander is Young
man OF fine address and has thorough
knowledge Of the simple little marvel
which he is exhibiting here 10 a syndicate
which proposes 90 rent the photograph at
the rate OF $40 per annum 10 any person.
The gentleman received THE APPEAL man
cordially and explained In detail the causes
and effects OF the human voice upon il.
Mr.. Alexander dictated an ordinary
business letter into that part Of the ma.
chine called the recorder, which il fcx-
lille rubber tube with a iunnyl-liko mouth
piece. This flexible tube OF recorder is
placed on a thin hollow rod containing a
line threaded screw which conforms
with tho threads on the diaphragm
and IN carried from right 10 left. The dia-
phragm is disk with mica plate. This
receives the sound pulsltions, which are
incised on a cylinder about six inches
long, covered with a coating Of parafinc
wax In lines 80 fine aud close together that
they arc not visible 10 the naked eye, by
means OF needle resting upon
the wax. The cylinder Is then rcvolved
by the means Of pcddlc turning the
screw that carries the diaphragm at the
same time, the wax is pared of into sound
lines When he finished speaking the re-
producer was hung 10 the ears Of the
astounded APPEAL man, and the letter
which had Just been dictated WIS repeated
as distinctly and with the identical intona.
ton Of Mr.. Alcxandcr's voice.
To say that the listener was paralyzcd
does not begin 10 express his wonder
Cylinders that had the records OF songs
sung several months ago In Now York
were put upon the phonograph and al.
though they had been repeated over 700
times, the sound lines were not eiiaccd
and selections from the popular operas
rs sung by well known artists, were pro-
duccd perfectly. Every note was clear
and distinct.
Mr. Alexander then said he would show
me the effect OF both our voices on the in
time. We instantly made up our minds
ms TO what We would say. 10 our aston.
ishment We both began, "Now Is the win.
Ter Of" when We suddenly stopped,
and our laughter would have wakcn
the dead. We then turned on the phono.
graph aud II began with our voices Ia con.
cert, "Now Il the winter of-ha, la, ha,"
and laughed Just as We had.
Of conne, there are great many anus.
ing things that can be done with II, but
tina, Il not the purpose OF Mr.. Ellison. His
idea IL 10 facilitate the correspondence Of
business men. With a phonograph q
business man could keep II at his house,
md aftcrdinnor could sit down and answer
and write his letters. The dictation could
w. done lrisurely. lie could then bring
his cylinder. containing the sound Of his
own voice. give these 30 his stcnographor,
Who could transmit them lcisurely. Or,
II photographs were universal, the cylin.
der eau be sent 10 the correspondent Tor
. cents mail, and there repeat the very
words and intOnations Of the sender.
Tho convenience OF the machine could
not b. enumerated IN n volumc-they are
simply endless and space forbids an OK
tended account OF what Il Is capable Of
doing.
The wax cylinders that are used will
accommodate 800 words, and they only
cost 3 cents each and can be sont through
the mails for cents. thus message OF
1900 words would cost but cents, which
would be less han the cost Of paper for
such n letter.
To summarize, this IL what can b. done.
I. Letter writing without the aid Of q
sicnoeraphcr.
?. Photographic books which would
speak TO the blind without any effort on
their part.
2. The teaching OF clocution.
I. Reproduction Of music.
8. The family rccorl-a register Of say
ings nnd "Reminiscences by members OF the
family In their own voices, and the last
words pi diving persons
4. Muse boxes aud toys.
7. Clocks that should announce In aftie
ulalc spcach the time for going home, go
Ing 60 bed. etc.
(. Tho preservation Of languages by ex
nct reproduction Of the manner OF pro
nouncing
.. Educational purposes. such "a pre-
serving the explanations made 10y teachers
10. Connection with telephone, 30 as Y