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Notes from the October 18, 2008 Meeting

There was a good turnout of about 25 people for our meeting and program, which was dedicated almost entirely to phonographs. At first, however, there was discussion about the radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds", it being near the 70th anniversary of Orson Welles' Oct 30, 1938 famous (or infamous) broadcast. It was interesting to learn that subsequent re-broadcasts were also taken very seriously by listeners, causing widespread panic - one in 1949 in Quito, Ecuador (where 3 people were killed) and still another in 1998 in Lisbon, Portugal on the 50th anniversary. The New Jersey Antique Radio Club provided antique radios for re-enactments of the broadcast at the RCA David Sarnoff Library in 2005 and 2007. (The library website is an interesting place to explore). It is interesting that a Theremin was used during the broadcasts. Jim Sargent discussed our upcoming November annual convention and that Chevy Crandell would be bringing his original RCA Theremin. He also reminded us of the upcoming January program on the functions of each part found in the typical AA5 superhet radio.

Mike Grimes introduced the program for the meeting, shared by Gary Reeves and George Potter. They had brought a variety of phonographs and related items, and members had also brought a few of their own. They gave pointers as to what to look for in phonographs, including things to be wary of. Gary has only recently become an avid collector and has mostly acquired Columbia machines. We learned that the name "phonograph" was patented by Edison and that Gramophone was used in Europe. Gary demonstrated a triple-spring Columbia for us, using a 1904 record. He then played a STANDARD Model A with a very humorous disc record titled "They Gotta Quit Kickin' my Dog Around". He showed us a Columbia "Oxford Jr.", and he also noted that the horns on early machines were sometimes aftermarket units offered by Sears and others. In general, the bigger, the better, producing increased loudness. Because the horns were a separate item, there it is not generally important that it be original. The sound quality varied also, with wooden horns providing a little softer sound. George and Gary discussed the cylinders used with the early phonographs. Edison stubbornly adhered to producing them up until 1929, even though people had quit buying the cylinder machines well before that. Of course the cylinder-type machine still lived on in Edison's Dictaphone transcription machine (they are still seen, occasionally). We were reminded of the delicate nature of the old cylinders and their different types. One needs to be careful to not split them by installing them on the tapered mandrel with only enough force to make them barely snug. (There is a so-called "indestructible" type that has steel bands on the ends). We learned that there wasn't a real standard RPM (78) until 1925 and that the speed was dependent on what best suited the subject, e.g. individual Caruso records were to be played at speeds varying from 60 to 80 RPM. There was discussion about accessory items and collectibles such as needle tins, needles, record brushes, needle sharpeners, etc. Gary showed a package of "Osage Orange" needles (see note below). Materials are still available from several sources. For cabinet refinishing, Mohawk products are very good. One of our members, Rick Wilkins, is a good source of parts and an expert at repairs of all types, including reproducers and motors.

Some members discussed the items they had brought. Les Sims showed a MICKYPHONE phonograph from the '30s. He also displayed an extremely compact machine that breaks down into a cylindrical package that is only 4 inches diameter and 1-1/2 inches thick, winding with a key. Maybe it is the world's smallest mechanical phonograph. Also very small is the more modern (1980s) novelty phonograph he demonstrated. It takes the form of a Japanese-made toy VW Microbus "SOUNDWAGON" about 4 inches long. It is battery powered and plays a 33 RPM record by driving around and around the record while tracking the groove and delivering sound out of the small holes in its roof. It tracks the groove by the pickup arm steering a small wheel underneath. Ben Hong showed a child's battery-powered phonograph that runs on 4 "C" batteries. The author showed a small "Stewart" all-metal record player from the '30s and played the novelty comic record "Right in Der Fuhrer's Face" from during the world war II years.

A Author's notes: I have some records that were family entertainment in the '20s when my father was growing up. Because the phonograph was one of the few sources of entertainment, comic records were nearly as popular as musical ones. The Swedish comic Yorgy Yorgensen is featured on a couple of them - "Yingle Bells" is hilarious!

When I first began work after college, I used a Dictaphone machine for awhile to provide the secretary with my business letters. That was in 1954.

I have a packet of phonograph needles identified as "Genuine Mesquite". We are all aware of the thorns the young trees have here in Texas. The Osage Orange is known as the Beau-d'arc (French for "bow wood") tree here in the South, and they also have very large, stiff thorns, suitable for record playing.

I obtained a SOUNDWAGON on e-bay shortly after seeing Les's, and it is a real hit with people who see and hear it, as it was at our meeting.