"MIKE" INVENTOR

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 6, 24 August 1928, Page 30

"MIKE" INVENTOR

JUBILEE OF INTRODUCTION THE fiftieth anniversity of the birth of the microphone, the invention that made possible radio broadcasting, finds "Mike," as it is now. familiarly called, at last given popular recognition as one of the really great inventions contributing to human happiness. For more than forty years, wnule recognised by scientists is the essential fact in telephone. transmission, the public at large knew nothing about: the microphone and cared less, But to-day more than 20,000,000 radio "fans" know that it is the microphone that transmits to them their daily dozen from the air. For without "Mike" there is no broadcasting. Over fifty years ago, on April 14, 1877, Emile Berliner, a young German immigrant, living in America, unable to speak pure English, filed his application for a patent on the microphone. His first crude instrument, constructed from a small toy drum, a steel dress button, and a needle, had actually talked. The microphone of to-day, as used both in the telephone transmitter and in radio broadcasting, is merely a refinement of the loose contact principle applied by. Berliner with his toy drum, dre~ stud, and needle. — .

"a. While the use of his. microphone by telephone companies made Berliner rich-and multiplied conversation in these United States many fold-it is in its application to radio broadcasting that the inventor finds his greatest pride. Particular]: is he proud of the fact ‘1at the microphone is making America a nation of music lovers. 6 MUSIC," he declares, "is one of the finest of mental and spititual foods. If the mind is pleasurably exercised by the harmonious vibrations of song, dance, and rhythm, stirring marches an: inspiring overtures, freer circulation, better health, greater ac. tivity, and more smiles will be the result in our daily lives. "That this is being brought about {urough the broadcasting of musica] masterpieces by great artists, there can be no doubt. Men like Atwater Kent for instance, who have made it their aim to project good music into our homes, must be classed as benefactors. They are not merely giving pleasure to the millions who listen in; they are giving ins: ‘ration, morale, ‘and a better attitude toward life generally." Although Berliner also is the father of the dise talking machine, it is his oldest child "Mike" that is his. chief pride. And Berliner, at 75, believes th "Mike" is just in his adolescence. The next century, he believes, will see "Mike’s" usefulness extended into other fields now no more foreseen than radio broadeas‘‘ng was half a century ago.