[78-L] November 9, 1921

[Steven C. Barr]

From: "Donna Halper" <dlh at donnahalper.com>
> At 03:37 AM 8/23/2010, Mike wrote:
>>   My reply was based on your use of the idea that the lack of a tape
>>recorder was the problem.  I should have also included that wire
>>recorders were already in use.
> I wasn't just referring to tape records.  And yes, I should have been 
> clearer, for which I apologize.  (I often hesitate to post anything 
> because what I mean doesn't seem to come out the way I want it to, 
> and I end up feeling really stupid.)  My point was based on 
> newspapers and letters from listeners during the early 1920s that 
> lamented the ability to easily record what they heard on the air.  In 
> 1922, some people were trying to use dictaphones to record programs, 
> but this was not a simple task and did not give good quality, based 
> on what was written about it.  All I meant was that such tactics for 
> recording a program were not in general use. If I am still in error, 
> please let me know. 
>
Well, the one noticeable DISadvantage of the disc player vs. the
cylinder machine was that the former could NOT (easily) record
while the latter could. Note that Victor offered a "home recording"
system which took special (and comparatively expensive) discs;
the instantaneous-recording systems of the thirties fell afoul
of the "Great Depression!" After WWII (IIRC) Wilcox-Gay sold
"Recordios" with some success. Problem is that many, if not
MOST of the resulting "off-air" recordings have long since
been tossed...?!

Steven C. Barr