Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-24
EDISON'S PHONOGRAPh.
a Great Future Prophesied for the New
Talking Machine.

Great Future Prophesied for the New
Talking Machine.
AS saving in the time given up to
writing, the photograph promises to
far outstrip the typewriter. The busi-
ness man can dictate to the phono-
graph as fast as he can talk, and the
wax cylinder, inclosed in suitable
box, can be sent off by mail, to read
out its message perhaps thousands OF
miles away. Or else, as is now done
in Mr.. Edison's laboratory in Orange,
n. j., the typewriter girl can print
out upon paper what her employer has
dictated TO the photograph. For the
reporter the editor and the author
who can dictate, device has been
adapted to the photograph which
causes it TO stop its message at every
tenth word, and TO continue only when
spring is touched. Thus the editor
can dictate his article TO the phono-
graph as he does now to his stenog-
rapher, and when the printer at the
case gets the resulting phonogram the
instrument will dictate to him in short
sentences. If he can not set up
the sentence at one hearing.
it will repeat its ten words.
II he is satisfied, it reads
out ten words more. | really see no
reason why the newspaper OF the
future should not come to the sub
scriber in the shape of phonogram.
1t would have to begin, however, with
a table OF contents, in order that one
might not have to listen TO a two
hours speech upon the tariff question
in order 10 get at ten lines of a
musical notice. But think what a
musical critic might be able to do for
| his public! He might give them whole
arias from an opera or movements
from a symphony. by way of proof or
illustration. The very tones of an
actors or singers voice might BIO re-
produced in the morning notice OF
last nights important dramatic or
musical event 1t has been remarked,
by the way, that business letters and
orders by photograph would not be so
binding as when put in black and
white upon paper. A little wax cyl
inder covered with microscopic
dots would not be considered as
good evidence in court But
if the speakers voice, inAec-
ton and accent were 50 reproduced
that witnesses could swear to the per-
sonality. would it not suffice? How
could there be any dispute over mans
will when the voice of the dead man
was heard?
In music, as have already said, the
value of the photograph even in its
present condition is indisputable. Mu-
sicians are divided. and probably al
ways will be, as to the manner in which
certain famous symphonies ought to be
conducted. The metronome marks used
| by Beethoven are but uncertain guides
at best, while no written directions as
to dynamic values, expression, etc,
are worth much. The photograph will
at least make it possible for the musi-
clan of the future TO know exactly how
our composers wished their music
given for it will repeat that music as
played to-day, with every shade of ex
preston, with all its infinite changes
of time. Moreover, the photograph
will offer TO the composer that long
sought instrument, an automatic re-
corder of improvisation upon the
piano or other instrument. In the
far-off future, when our descend
ants wish to compare our SIM
pie little Wagner operas with the
complex productions of their own days,
requiring perhaps, dozen orchestras,
playing in half dozen different keys
at once, they will have accurate phono-
graphic record OF our harmonic SIM
plicity.
At present but few OF the new phono-
graphs have been finished, and those
only for exhibition purposes. When
they will be offered for sale seems to
be doubtful; probably within a few
months. Mr.. Edison says that by the
beginning of 1890 the photograph will
be far less OF curiosity than the tele-
phone is now, and that ne could begin
| Vic OuCt IL ne
were fully satisfied with them. There
is always something which needs i'm
proving. just at present there Is
needed funnel for so magnifying the
sound that IL the instrument is placed
in the center OF table all the persons
sitting around can hear its reading or
music. For the last year it has been
the same story-the monographs
would be ready for sale next month.
It was so year ago, and it may be so
year from now. But these many de-
lays, which have made people rather
skeptical as to the doings OF the phono-
graph, do not make the wonders al
ready achieved less wonderful. or war
rant any doubts as TO the vast posi-
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