[D8905AJU], Letter from Werner von Siemens to Henry Villard, November 28th, 1889
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Title
[D8905AJU], Letter from Werner von Siemens to Henry Villard, November 28th, 1889
Editor's Notes
[Enclosure to D8905AJT; from the reference to the order for phonographs for German schools in the original Siemens letter to Villard from which this is extracted, it was dated 891128, see D8905AIT] Edison's visit has delighted me very much. I found him to be a man of clear and sharp intellect, quick comprehension and far reaching mind, who rapidly forms an opinion about the bearing of new discoveries and who takes real delight in newly acquired knowledge. The fact that he does not work for gain only, but loves his inventions with an idealistic enthusiasm, makes him especially sympathetic to us. I am very much obliged to you for haing introduced him to me.##Mr Edison has probably told you that I have entered into an arrangement with him regarding the exloitation of my ore-process (production of copper). He will receive in a few days a special description of this process.##The phonograph created quite a sensation here in all circles. It is to be regretted that no one here is authorized to take orders for such instruments. I cable to Edison today that Minister Gossler wants 50 machines for institutions of learning, and that he has requested me to help him get them. It would be desirable, in the interest of a general introduction of the phonograph, if this order were executed at an early date and at a low figure. A department of State cannot enter into a contract for renting the instruments as it is intended. It really seems to me that this method will not meet with public favor here.##It was very agreeable to me to receive from Edison an explanation of the relation between the phonograph and graphophone, which I was able to use in his interest repeatedly. As the latest competitor, the grammophone has now made its appearance, which was exhibited by the inventor Mr. Berliner at the last meeting of the Electro-Technical Association. At the same time an Edison phonograph was on exhibition, the speaking abilities of which proved to be far superior.
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Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1889-11-28
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D8905-F
Microfilm ID
125:515
Document ID
D8905AJU
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University