The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have been a phonograph collector for many years and have always been very interested in record repeaters,in fact, I own two styles for cylinder players and at least three types for discs.I have often wondered why a record repeater was never offered for the smallest of cylinder phonographs i.e. the Edison Gem. Accepting the fact that such a device was never made, I actually started thinking of designing one myself.

My friends said that I was wasting my time- that the Gem could only play about one cylinder per winding anyway, but I already knew that. My design from its inception would utilize a rack & pinion component in conjunction with a one-direction clutch to re-wind the phonograph's spring on the carriage's return travel.

The first prototype worked remarkably well but it was quite noisy. The second attempt was much better but it still had a rather "homemade" look about it. I wanted something that looked as though it came from the Edison factory so I had the necessary iron castings made and had other metal parts nickel-plated. It finally looked and functioned to my satisfaction.

I am quite pleased with my repeater and have just listened to "THERE'S A MOTHER ALWAYS WAITING FOR YOU" by Harlan & Stanley at least twenty times.

Anyway, my questions are these: 1) Should I bother obtaining a patent for this device knowing that the likelihood of someone ripping me off is rather small?
2) Would other collectors be interested in buying one of these repeaters?
3) How much could I charge for such a repeater?

I thank everyone in advance for any opinions or insights.

Dan Z. YAMAPHONE


HAPPY EASTER & HAPPY APRIL FOOLS' DAY!

If you want wider availability, it's better to go to the source. The National Phonograph Company haven the resources for mass production; hence a lower initial price, passing that savings on to the collectors. However, be prepared to negotiate a license agreement, or accept a buy-out in cash. In either case, deposit the money at compound interest, in a bank that is functioning present-day: you may have to return from time to time to keep the account open for a century or so.

Also, it depends on which model Gem you used. If you wioll haven patented this before 1900, be aware that structural variations will make the attachment harder to fit on later models - especially when they drop the end gate.

Your best bet is to submit your design around 1903: that way, when they actually issue it, you can compensate for updates.

Another detail to consider: what type of vehicle are you using to get to your destination? I'd recommend the Tesla Intercalary Unit IC5: it's energy efficient, and more reliable than the ChronosX, which has an annoying tendency to skip millennia if you don't double-clutch it. Nothing spoils your trip like getting stranded in the Pleistocene... The Tesla may be more expensive, but you wioll beon able to afford it with that bank account!

Happy Easter Fools!

Bill
(With a little help from Dr. Dan Streetmentioner's 1,001 Handy Verb Tenses)