INVENTOR’S SUCCESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3847, 20 September 1928, Page 1

INVENTOR’S SUCCESS.

REPRODUCTION OF SOUND. TALENTED NEW ZEALANDER. CAREER OF MR. A. E. ROD. Romance is associated with the inventive genius of Mi*. A. E. Rod, the young New Zealander whose patent for the reproduction of sound has inspired a European company, headed by Mr. John Maxwell, chairman of the British International Pictures, Limited, to subscribe £250,000 for the purchase of the European rights. Mr. Rod, who is 28 years of age, is a son of Mrs. (Madame) Entwisle, of Thames, and was born at Day’s Bay, Wellington. He is a great-grandson of professor Hanbeig, of Denmark, who, during his residence in -New Zealand, invented the world’s first gramophone or talking machine, as it was then called. The patent rights of the machine were eventually purchased by Thomas Edison for several hundred pounds. Mrs. Entwisle clearly recalls Professor Hanbeig’s gramophone, it being one of her early girlhood duties to polish the first cylindrical records, which were made of cedar.

EARLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. From earliest infancy young Rod’s attention could always be attracted by musical sounds, and the keenness of his ear for music was demonstrated at an early age. After education at Wellington Terrace School and Wellington College, he found himself unable to find congenial employment until fate took him to a gramophone workshop, where he immediately found his true sphere. It was not long before Mr. Rod had made a machine of his own, in which he tried out schemes of sound reproduction. One idea of his, a fluted disc, was some years later adapted to gramophones, though Mr. Rod’s disc did L not possess the fluting or pleated disc arrangement. In moments or relaxation he overcame a serious malformity of the left hand sufficiently to acquire a remarkable dexterity in the playing of the piano, which led him to try, his hand at composing songs and music for the piano. NEW PROCESS PERFECTED. His first composition was a swinging march song entitled “Marconi Switch Me on to Mars.” This, the first of nine compositions, was dedicated to Signor Marconi, and was born of his consuming heroworship for the great Italian inventor of wireless. Continuing his intensive study of gramophones and wireless telegraph innovations Mr. Rod at last amazed and delighted an expeit Wellington audience with the “Rodstrad,” the name he has bestowed on his perfected new process for the reproduction of sound. About 12 months ago Mr. Rod set out for America and England with high hopes of gaining the practical sympathy of financiers. The best offer was made in England and involved a 10-years’ binding guarantee of service. This only convinced the New Zealander, however, that the goal of success he was aiming for was coming nearer and he returned to New Zealand with his invention still securely protected. AMERICAN OFFER DECLINED. After the inevitable worries of company flotation he eventually secured the intimate and personal interest of Mr. Arthur Davis, Wellington. A friendship quickly developed on a voyage to America, where they were offered £600,000 for the world’s rights to sell Rodstrad.” The offer was flatly declined and the pair sailed for England even more secure in the knowledge that they possessed an article that would gain world-wide fame. That this confidence was not misplaced has already been indicated by recent cablegrams containing news of an offer of £250,000 foi the European rights of the invention. . The latest development m tjns connection is that Dr. Davis is leavino- England for New Zealand tomorrow. This unexpected departure from his plans is considered by Mrs. Entwisle to indicate that a satisfactory deal has been completed with the European company. 'The romance associated with the hereditary genius of Mr. Rod is added to by the fact that he has recently been perfecting another remarkable invention. However, be has agreed with his principals to complete his new process of sound reproduction before delving into other spheres.