[Nfbf-l] wax cylinders--no joke First Talking Books for the Blind

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,
I thought some would be interested in this article, it is actually too large to put in this list, however, if any have a problem accessing it at the URL provided, and want it in Text or Word format, I shall email it to them as an attachment, or paste it into an email message.
Just let me know.
adicey at bellsouth.net
With Best Regards,
God Bless,
Alan
Plantation, Florida

Wax cylinders--no joke - First Talking Books for the Blind
"When Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his Tin-Foil Phonograph in 1877, one of the ten potential uses he listed for his invention was 'phonograph books, which will speak to blind people without effort on their part.' Interestingly, this item was second in his list of ten; 'reproduction of music' was fourth."

 

This is quoted from Frances A. Koestler, "The Unseen Minority: A Social History of Blindness in the United States," available online at:

 

http://www.afb.org/unseen/book.asp?ch=Koe-10

 

Bill Graczyk

retired Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library