[LB055206], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to Charles Tarver, January 21st, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB055206
Transcription
B. Jan. 21, 1892. Dr. Chas. Tarver Eagle Pass, Texas. Dear Sir:- Mr. Edison has received your letter of 3rd instant, suggesting that the tracings made by the phonograph might be made the true basis for phonetic writing. In reply I beg to inform you that this same idea presented itself to Mr. Edison some time ago, and he experimented considerably in connection therewith. He obtained by a photographic process a record of the phonographic furrow in the hope of being able to recognize certain words. Mr. Edison found, however, that the tracings were so intricate and unintelligible that he abandoned all hope of a practical solution of the problem. Thanking you for your letter, I am Yours very truly, A. O. Tate Private Secretary, [M.?]