The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

Transcription

MEMORANDUM OF MR. EDISON’S WORK DURING THE YEAR 1891. 
THE KINETOGRAPH.
The Edison Kinetograph is an instrument intended to reproduce motion and sound simultaneously, being a combination of a specially constructed camera and phonograph. The camera used in connection with this invention takes forty-six pictures a second, which is 2,760 pictures a minute, or 165,000 an hour. The pictures are photographed on a long band of extremely light sensitive film, whose rapidity of movement makes it possible to register there on, photographically, the different phases of animal life; when these pictures are seen in quick succession they present the illusive effect of true motion, and when exhibited in combination with the phonograph we have the duplex sensation of vision and sound. This specially constructed camera is attached electrically to a phonograph and simultaneously they combine to register the different phases of motion and accompanying sound. Therefore by the aid of the KINETOGRAPH the spectator may both see and hear any particular scene, just as though looking at the reality; the movement as well as the form of the original objects, together with accompanying sounds are reproduced with the utmost fidelity, thereby enabling us to familiarize ourselves with the minutest peculiarity of sound and action.  By means of this ingenious apparatus it will be possible to have repeated in our homes great orations, together with all the gestures and changing facial expressions of the orators; the greatest of our actors, singers etc. can be called into service in our drawing-rooms and there made repeat their most celebrated scenes and vocal performances, every movement and intonation being reproduced with absolute fidelity; horse races and prize fights can be raced and fought over again, with all their accompanying noise and stir; military processions, street scenes, field sports, games, base-ball contests etc., etc. can be witnessed at pleasure. Indeed it would be impossible to enumerate in this brief notice the numerous applications of the Kinetograph or the various uses to which it is adapted. Much could be said of its possibilities as an educator in various directions, and as a source of amusement the application of the instrument would seem to be unlimited. 
NOTE. For additional information in regard to the Kinetograph see article on the subject by Geo. Parsons Lathrop in HARPERS WEEKLY, issue of June 13, 1891. Electric Railway. 
New system for electric railways which will do away with the trolley wire; especially adapted for large cities where overhead wires are prohibited. 
It has hitherto been considered impossible to supply a street car, propelled electrically, with the current from the rails, for two reasons: 1st, because the mud and water would be liable to produce a heavy electrical loss by leakage; and secondly, because of the difficulty in delivering a large volume of current to the car through the mud and slush with which the rails might be covered. 
The first difficulty mentioned above Mr. Edison has overcome by employing an electrical pressure sufficiently low to be without danger of frightening horses and without appreciable commercial loss or leakage. 
Special apparatus of a simple nature has enabled him to supply in practical trial any desired quantity of current to a car under the worst conditions of street. By these means it is possible, and has been experimentally proved practical, to supply a car with a motive power independently of any trolley wire. 
HIGH SPEED ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS. 
The difficulties in the way of electrical propulsion for stream railroads <r. Edison has considered to be mostly of detail and not of principle. In connection with his experiments in this line he had constructed a short length of track, upon which he demonstrated it to be possible to supply a moving train with the necessary amount of electrical energy for its propulsion. 
High Volt Lamp 
This lamp effects a saving of over fifty per cent in copper. It has been found up to the present time impracticable to manufacture an electric lamp operated on a higher pressure than a little over 100 volts. Doubling the pressure on such lamps is capable of reducing the total quantity of copper in a conducting system of supply by 75% theoretically and perhaps 70% practically. Guided by the importance of this desired end Mr. Edison found a means of making a lamp capable of giving the present standard of illumination under all the usual conditions, but working at 200 volts, or nearly twice the present pressure, and this lamp will be believe soon be available for general use. ELECTRIC LIGHT METERS. 
These are for registering accurately the consumption of electric current. 
In connection with electric lamps Mr. Edison has been seeking for a form of electric meter which would be as effective as those heretofore used, but which would be cheaper and more accurate, thus rendering it capable of more universal adoption. These features he believes are embodied in his new series of electric light meters. 
IMPROVED ALTERNATING SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING. 
The alternating current system which Mr. Edison has worked out embodies a high degree of efficiency with mechanical convenience but does not essentially differ in principle from other existing similar systems. 
New Phonograph. 
This phonograph is a great improvement on the older form of instrument, and there are many new features embodied in which the earliest machines did not possess. The new phonograph is more simple of operation, and its capacity (about 1500 words) is a treble that of the old machine. A mailing cylinder, especially adapted to correspondence, has been provided for use in connection with the new phonograph; this mailing cylinder is small, light in weight and durable and will hold 500 words; it can be placed in a box ¾ of an inch in diameter and can be sent through the mails at a cost of two sents, and with perfect safety. The diaphragm used on the new style of machine is of the most sensitive character, and a whisper recorded on the cylinder can be reproduced with the [illegible text] distinctness. 
In the new phonograph are embodied all the improvements that have been suggested or thought of since the instrument was first introduced to the public. 
DUPLICATION OF PHONOGRAPH RECORDS.
This process makes it possible to furnish any desired number of duplicates of any particular phonograph record, musical or vocal, the duplicates being equal in every respect to the originals