The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-07-31
Electrical Science.
SEVENTH PAPER.

Electrical Science.
SEVENTH PAPER.
Following the discovery of the telegraph
came that of the telephone. This discovery
may justly be credited to the American
physicist, Page. He was investigating the
theory of reproducing musical notes at a
distance. and following along this line he
noticed that at the instant when a bar of
soft iron is magnetized by passing current
through the coil of wire surrounding it
sharp click is heard, and by means of
sounding board, sounds could be transmit
ted. In 1860 M. Reiss of FriedrichsdOrf,
constructed musical telephone that trans
mitted with accuracy the sounds or musical
notes. that were received into the apparatus
when person sang before it. Not only
does this apparatus show to what degree
this science had then been developed but it
serves to show the extent that the new
power or force exerted IN the minds of all
scientists of that time. The expression made
by one of the distinguished men of few
years ago. barely does justice to this sci
ence even when spoken of as, 1.-The wonder
of wonders" The apparatus invented by
Reiss was constructed by mounting, by
supports, cylindrical bar of iron over
sounding board the bar of iron. or magnet
being surrounded by heliacal coil of wire;
| hollow box was next made into which a
trumpet mOuthed article was inserted from
the side of the box; in the top of the box
was circular opening over which was
placed membrane, and small disk of
platinum in the center of the membrane
completes the circuit whenever the vibra-
tOns of the membrane causes it to reach a
point poised above the platinum disk; the
whole apparatus being operated by a Bun
sen battery. 1t will be readily seen that
when the person standing in front of the
trumpet mOuthed opening raised or lowered
his voice it caused corresponding move
ments Of the membrane and the platinum
disk attached, which as each wave of sound
| struck the membrane, caused it to vibrate
and the platinum disk communicating with
| the point raised above, connected the elec-
trical circuit and transmitted the sounds
as they were received to any distance.
| The speaking telephone is all improve
ment of Reiss' discovery and was made by
Bell and known as the Bell telephone. Bell
had worked for many years to produce the
speaking telephone. AS constructed by
him it required no battery. being operated
| Wy 0tCCl ludSuCUO WuCIClIOm UuO CuIIcuGS
are generated by means of thin iron plate.
One end of the steel magnet is inclOsed bv
small coil of silk covered copper wire.
surrounding this is case in the form of
trumpet, with which all are familiar. On
speaking into the cap shaped opening across
which the iron diaphragm is placed, this
being charged with magnetism from the
steel magnet, vibrates with every distinct
wave of sound as they are articulated. CON-
munlcating them in their approach to the
magnet, it in turn carries them to the line
wires by which they are transmitted to
similar apparatus which placed to the ear
enables person to hear every sound made
by another even when separated by hun
dreds of miles. The perfection of this in
strument gave to the world one of the
greatest inventions since the world began.
Had such discovery been made in other
than the present century with what dis
trust would it have been received by the
people! 1t would have been looked upon
as an invention of his Satanic Majesty.
LEONARDUS.