Year: 1877

from WINCH AZ any y6uOSeQ0ent time u might |
be automatically redclivered with oil the |
vocal characteristics of the original speaker
accurately reproduced A speech delivered
into the mouthpiete of this apparatus may
fifty ,yeare hence-long after the original
speaker is dead-be reproduced audibly
to an audience with sufficient fidelity to
make the voice easily recognizable by those
Who were familiar with. the original As
yet The apparatus is crude, but is character.
ized by that wonderful simplicity which
seems to be trait of all great invention
or discovery. The principles are as fol.
lows: There is. first. speaking-tube
provided with mouthpiece. at the base
ut which is a metallic diaphragm which
responds powerfully to the vibrations of
the voice. In the centre of the diaphragm
is secured small. chisel-shaped point.
Below this point is drum revolved by
clock-work, and serves to cary forward
continuous fillet of paper, having through
out its length and exactly in the centre a
raised V.shaped boss, such as would be
drawn rapidly along, all the
movements of the diaphragm
made by passing fillet of paper through
Morse register with the lever constantly
depressed The cbisel-point attached IN
the diaphragm rests npon the sharp edge
of the raised boss If now the paper he
will be recorded by the indenta-
tion Of the chisel-point into the delicate
boss-it having no support underneath, is
very easily iudented: TO do this. little or
no power is required to operate the chisel
The tones of small amplitude will he re-
corded bv slight indentations, and those of
full amplitude by deep ones. This fillet
Of paper thus receives record Of the vocal
| vthratiNoo try tho
If the diaphragm and it can be made to
diarhrar m, NE shall not only see that We
have record Of the words but shall have
them respnken; and if that second dia-
phrsgm he that of the transmitter of a
speaking telephone, we shal, have the still
more marvellous performance or having
them respoken and transmitted by wire at
the same time 10 distant point.


There productor ia very similar 10 the
inden,ine apparatus, except that more
delicate diaphragm is used The repro.
ductor has attached to its diaphragm a
thread which in turn is attached to a hair
spring upon the end IF which is v shaped
point resting upon the indentations Of the
boss. The passage IF the indentad boss
underneath this point causes it to rise and
fall with precision, thus contributing to
the diaphragm the mutton of the original
one. and thereby rendering the words again
audible. or course Mr. Edison, At this
stage Of the invention. finds some difficulty
in reproducing the finer articu'ations, but
he is quite justified by results obtained
from his first crude efforts. IN his prediction
that he will have the apparatus in practica
operation within year. He has already
ar piled the principle of his speaking tele.
phone. thereby causing an electromagne,
to operate the indentine diaphragm, and
will undoubtedly be able to transmit q
speech, made upon the floor of the senate
from Washington to New York, record
the same in New York, automatically, and
by means of speaking telephones redelive
it in the editorial ear of every newspaper
in New York. In view of the practica
Inventions already contributed by Mr.
Edison, is there any one who is prepared
to gainsay this predictions /. for one, an
satisfied it will be fulfilled, and that, too
at an early date.


EDWARD H. JoHSsoN, Electrician