Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

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budsta
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Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by budsta »

I was fortunate to pick this up off ebay a couple years ago. It had a "BIN" price I thought was pretty reasonable so I jumped at it. It hadn't been on for long
The seller was less than an hour drive from where I live in Melbourne coincidentally.
It is pictured on a Home Phonograph on pg.88 of Frow's book.

Stephen
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fran604g
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by fran604g »

Very interesting, thanks for sharing photos of your very rare attachment.

Best,
Fran
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"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

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phonosandradios
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by phonosandradios »

I'm probably asking a dumb question but how does it work?
I am interested in all forms of audio media including: gramophones, phonographs, wire recorders, the tefifon, reel to reel tapes, radiograms and radios.

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Curt A
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by Curt A »

Yes, how does it work...?
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
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Roaring20s
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by Roaring20s »

My guess is that it simply provides a point of reference using the pointer and a number range. Example: I play 2 minute black wax cylinders at number 10 and brown wax at number 3, making it easier to adjust the speed with less guesswork. :coffee:

James.

budsta
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by budsta »

Our local guru said they were used for home recording as they gave finer speed adjustment.

stephen

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Roaring20s
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Re: Rare "The Hilton Speed Indicator for Phonographs"

Post by Roaring20s »

Here's the patent information...
https://griffonagedotcom.wordpress.com/ ... 1878-1912/
search for Hilton (nice clear PDF)

I suppose you could use it on a disc machine too, adjusting for berliner discs and standardized 78s. :coffee:

James.

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