Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-06-08
NEW INVENTION OF
C. H. O'BRIEN IS
MANUFACTURED HERE

Charles II. O'Brien of Hallowell, well
known as the originator of the now uni
versally used electric automobile horn
and many other electrical appliances,
has recently perfected a phonograph
possessing several unique features
which represent a big step forward in
simplicity ard efficiency Of sound re-
producing apparatus. He already is
manufacturing the Instruments for the
wholesale market, having his plant in
the Woodworking shop At 43 State street
formerly operated by Arthur kraus. 4
hustling little industry is developing
here. and those intimate with the phon-
oeraph trade believe that the new ma
chine has such merits that il will soon
take front place among the nstru-
ments Of the better known makes. MIR.
O Brien has given his machine the Gu
phonious trade name "Electrola." AS
the name suggests, the instrument is
electric driven.
The chief DISTINGUISHING feature OF Mr..
q Brien's new machine is the el;mina-
toa Of all the numerous gears used in
other machines-w whether or not electri-
cally driven. SO simple is the means
by which Mr.. Q Brien achieves this end
that electricians who have examined tn.
apparatus We're forced to smile ana
wonder why somebody didn't think of
il before. The doing away with the
gears means the avoidance Of much of
the noise that ordinary phonograph
mechanism Drn6npaS f,,II
portant. is conserves the power to such
an extent that the new machine may
be operated on only one-fourth the
usual amount Of current The strong
power makes il unnecessary for the OBJ
orator of the machine to wait for the
motor to speed up before lowering
the tone-arm on the record--an annoy
ance in the operation Of other types OF
apparatus. The record table is connect
ed directly with the motor shaft bv a
belt and connecting directly with the
other extremity If the motor shaft Is
the governor which latter ARRANGEMENT
is one of the patented features of the
machine. The speed Of the motor is
controlled by very ingenious but sim
pie device which acts by pressure on
the governor
When the tone arm is swung aside
the needle rests on pad of felt which
serves to clean the needle point. ana
the pressure operates drop lever which
discoHnects the electric current. This
automatic method of stopping the mo-
tor is ridiculously simple in compari-
son with that of other machines. in
which complicated switches ar. oper-
ated by the movement of the tone arm
Mr.. O13rien has in process a type +
machine for use where electric cur
rent is not available, in which stor-
age or dry batteries will furnish thn
power for the motor. With the oh
type of mechanism the use Of bat
teries would be impractical. Ma
chimes Of the spring motor tpye will
also be put upon the market.
The cabinets are in several ar
tistic styles and finishes and were de-
signed by Mr.. O'Brien and his as
sistants. A new and original veneer
ing process. in which are eliminated
several hitherto necessary steps. IS
being used by Mr.. O'Brien and makes
possible a big saving in cost. Mr..
O'Brien has encountered many OBJ
stacles in the development of his ma
chine which has involved experiment.
alton with many kinds of material,
while handicapped severely by short-
age Of materials in the market and
transportation difficulties.
Mr.. O'Brien has had a varied ca
reer but has all his life been an in
ventor Most Of his inventions are f
electrical appliances and one Of his
most successful is a compass in which
electricity is used to neutralize the
magnetic currents diverting the
needle from its proper direction.
While working on this invention. at
the time a boy OF about IS. he at
tractcd the attention of a co-worker
of Edison and was offered a position
in the great inventors laboratory.
He has afterwards regretted that he
did not grasp the opportunity
Some 80 years ago Mr.. O'Brien was
L telegraph operator in this city, I'M