The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-06
TWO ELECTRIC MARVELS.

Mr.. Edison has brought almost to per-
lection a new instrument which he calls a
kinetngraph, by which not only speech is
revoiced as in the phon Ograph, but syn
enormously the visible expression and
movements of the speaker are reproduced
with Photographic accuracy. The in
ventor. indeed, aims at going much higher
than the imitation of single speaker or
singer in voice and manner. He proposes
TO develop it into very comprehensive
affair. so that it will reproduce a whole
stage scene in opera, an orchestral per-
Torrance, or an act from a drama. When
it can do this the principle of the phono-
graph will have received an extraordinary
extension hardly realiZable. This instru-
meht is combination of the monograph
and the Photographic camara. As a speaker
proceeds his words are recorded. and at
the same time camera autOm atically
takes series Of photographs very rapidly.
there being no fewer than for.y-seven in a
second. This is really faster than the eye
can follow. Then reproducing phOno-
graph and stereopticon controlled by
electricity in precise relationship give the
speech and show the action at exactly the
same rate. the forty-seven photographs In
second blending into one continuous
presentation of personality and move
ment so as to render the illusion perfect.
An instrument that could do this would
in ancient times have drawn down upon
the inventor the vengeance of the super
sttious, which then comprehended the
great body OF, mankind. or its high prac-
tical value in giving US animated portraits
as we'll AS the actual language Of poets,
orators, statesmen. literary celebrities and
the illustrious IN science there can be no
question. If this be attainable in a manner
which does not embarrasS the subject.
What would the world not give to be able
to recreate the great of the past in action
and word-lo hear the voice and watch the
expression and gesture? There are num-
berS Of modern men whose portraits II
thus presented would communicate thrill
Of interest to an audience far tranScending
any measure of interest derivable from
books. biographies or anecdotes. Could
we thus have Cooper. Hawthorne. Long
fellow, Whittier, Emerson, Charles Sum-
ner, Lincoln. Carlyle, Dickens and Thack
aray brought again to life what freshened
interest should we take in them and their
works! Their spirit would stalk abroad as
it were as if they were still part of
the generations that know them not
and are fain TO treasure the rel
les, from autographs 10 lrlnksts. that
serve TO keep them in memory. The
kinetograph will indeed present a living
portrait of people if it suits action and
expression to the voice with realistic fidel-
ity. Even if it fails in largo groups, its
success IN individual cases would be a
marvellous gain in Selling for study the
most heeting movements. Possibly the
pot trait painter may find the instrument
OF utility in getting an animated likeness.
Stters frequently carry on conversations,
and fall into natural expressions which
the artist strives to seize, too often fruit
lessly.
Almost approaching this invention in
startling ingenuity is the telautngraph Of
Professor Gray. This telegraphic instru-
ment really does reproduce in absolute
fac-simile any handwriting or drawing or
any possible combination of lines. just as
the transmitter gives 1t. The very thick
ness or fneness Of the lines is repeated,
and however minute the touch or peculiar
the turn of the hand. the fidelity of the
reproduction defirs fauItfnding. For many
purposes in Biography this invention Is as
valuable as Morse's discovery Of a SER
Viceable alphabet