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A good idea at the time!

More from Radio-Craft magazine May 1938
Supplied by Peter Wolfenden

A REMARKABLE new sound recording and after one
reproducing device, invented by J. Ripley soundtrack has
Kiel, has been demonstrated in New York. been impressed
Using 16 mm. unperforated film, this on the film.
device will record 40 sound tracks side by The machine is
side and permit instant high-fidelity so designed
reproduction. The entire record of a court trial, that the
political convention, complete books, or the diamond stylus
whole daily program of a broadcasting station will move over
can be given by this device without even the slightly to cut
necessity of changing a reel of film. One reel the next track.
will give 37 continuous hours of This applies to
reproduction or any part thereof. Used in the entire 2000
movie studios, it prevents costly delays feet or any part
because it will enable the directors to check up of it. The
on the sound immediately, without waiting for recordings are practically indestructible for
their regular film to be developed. The device after 1000 renditions there is no appreciable
causes the film to pass. beneath a diamond- loss of quality of reproduction. A test strip of
pointed stylus suspended on an axis in an the sound film was first frozen then heated to
electric field, which causes the sound 160°F and then scrubbed with a stiff brush
waves picked up by a microphone to without causing any effects. The film has no
become indelibly pressed into the film. By photographic emulsion and is not perforated
the turn of a switch, another diamond pointed and uses specially prepared acetate cellulose
stylus will instantly reproduce the recordings base.
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