A New Invention

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 13, 11 October 1929, Page 27

A New Invention

H ome-made Records e A NEW German invention, by which hours of speech and music can be recorded very cheaply on a small, light apparatus, will very shortly be on the Continental market. ' The underlying principle is that instead of impressions being made on a given record by cutting or grinding, they’ are made by pressing. ‘The finished cast is very similar to a gramophone record, and the diamond hammer used for. recording the sound impressions is nothing but a pick-up device operated the wrong way about. . The main use of this invention will probably lie in the adoption of.spoken, instead of written, communications. For this purpose, a material known as "Gellon" is used. This is a noninflammable celluloid, and round discs of this material are placed on the turntable, the ‘diamond hammer is set in position, and music or speech is recorded by means of a microphone. When the record is completed, it can be immediately played by. means of an electrical "pick-up and a loudspeaker. An ordinary gramophone may be used, though wear is greater, and reproduction is not so good. The record may be rolled up and sent by post, or, if it is small enough, it may be sent by letter. The complete recording and reproducing apparatus does not cost more than a moderately priced radio receiver, and in the near future every business office will probably install this labour-saving device.