B.
January 4th, 1892.
Charles Wirt, Esq.,
The Electrical Supply Co.,
102 Michigan Ave., Chicago.
Dear Sir:-
Mr. Edison has read your letter of 29th ultimo, making a suggestion in regard to the phonography. In reply he has instructed me to inform you that we did use hard rubber shells in connection with the phonograph. A rubber shell was placed on the brass mandrill and the cylinder placed on it. This was found to be effectual in stopping the cracking of cylinders from the cause cited in your letter; but the trouble was that the public did not relish paying for the shells, and consequently their manufacture was abandoned.
Yours very truly,
A. O. Tate
Private Secretary,
M.
