Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > February 2000 > 2000.02.21 > 03Prev  Next


Mechanical Speech Machines in Automatons
By Michael Start

Dear MMD,  Mike Knudsen's posting mentions that it is a shame no
grandson of one of the great automata makers incorporated a talking
machine in their automata.

Earlier this month a beautiful Jumeau headed automaton by Henri Vichi
sold at auction here in England.  The figure was a girl seated upon
a stool (Le Merveilleux), within the stool was a miniature phonograph
mechanism with 3/4-inch cylinder and Vichy and Lioret paper label.

Fortunately, it was in very original condition; unfortunately, because
of this it was not working (full of spider webs, etc.) and what the
cylinder played is a mystery, though music rather than speech is more
likely.

The great automata makers did try and move with the times, incorpo-
rating electricity when it became available.  And historically the
mechanical production of speech has been a goal since antiquity.  The
possibilities of the phonograph must have tempted makers to use them
for speech.

I am sure that there are automata using this method to produce speech
and I would love to know if anyone knows more about them.

Regards

Michael Start


(Message sent Mon 21 Feb 2000, 13:31:48 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Automatons, Machines, Mechanical, Speech

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page