The herald., 1897-05-09
NO MORE TELEPHONE GIRLS
An Invention From Germany That
Makes Them Unnecessary

AdhcS 1AcUl ~ unnecessary
News of novel and apparently very
useful invention comes to us from Ger
many. 1t is connected with the tele-
phone, and its object is to render tele-
phonic communication infinitely more
easy than it is at present. M. Apostoloff,
a skilled engineer, to whom credit for
the invention is due, expresses conf
dence that in short time this new ap-
pliance will come into general use, and
that the result will be a complete revo-
luton in all offices and other places
where telephones are used. In England,
according to Mr.. Fradiss, who is an ex
pert on such matters, the officials con-
nected with the postal telegraph busi-
ness have ordered thorough test to be
made Of M. Apostoloff's appliance. and
have expressed their intention of using
1t in case it should be found to possess
the many advantages claimed for it.
The invention consists of an automatic
arrangement by means of which direct
communication can be obtained with one
or more persons. By Its use each sub
scriber can personally communicate
with another subscriber in any other
city or town, no matter how distant IT
may be, and as many messages can be
sent simultaneously from one city to an
other ao there are telephones in each
city. Conversation cannot be over
heard by any third person. and person
when in communication with one or with
several other persons can prevent then,
from interrupting him or from cutting
off his communication.
In order to obtain these advantages
all that is necessary is to add to the tele-
phone of each subscriber small appar-
atus by means of which he will be en-
abled to communicate automatically
through the central station with whom
soever he may desire to converse. In the
central station more important change
is necessary. There all the ordinary
telephone instruments are replaced by
single table, on which are laid the
automatic communicators This table
can be placed in any room and the room
can always remain closed. 1t necessar-
| lily follows that there is no longer any
use for large corps of employees at a
central station, one person being able to
do the work which has hitherto been
done by so many.
But how does M. Apostoloff propose to
bring about this radical change?
Very easily, he says, and he lays stress
on the fact that subscribers will find the
improved telephone a very simple in
strument, and that it will be practically
impossible for them to blunder with II
or get 1t out Of order.
Each telephone is fitted with small
apparatus which Is known as manipu-
lator, and on the outside Of which are
placed three holes and several buttons
These buttons, when pressed, show the
number Of the subscriber with whom
one desires to communicate. This num-
toward the left are found the numerals
Of the thousands and hundreds, and ir
the whole toward the right those of the
tens and ones. The central hole is uset
as a sort Of guide between subscribers
thus, when the telephone is not in use
this hole bears the word "Off," showing
that the line is clear. How easy it Is te
obtaip direct communication through &
telephone improved in this way Mr.
Fradiss clearly shows US.
Let us suppose" he says, that sub
scriber A wants to talk to subscriber 3
whose subscription number is 2753.
presses the button in the left hole, an
the successive numerals appear in or
der-that is and 7, the left hole con
tanning only the numerals Of the thoue
ands and hundreds. A then presses tn
buttons in the right hole, and in lik
manner obtains the numerals and
A has thus placed himself automatically
in communication with BIS telephone
(No. 2753.)-New York Herald.