Re: Reply: [phonographic] Sound recordings on 35mm film

[Frank Wylie <fwylie@SISCOM.NET>]

At 01:39 PM 5/8/00 +0000, you wrote:
> >In response to David Walsh's query, the only phonographic groove-type
> sound-on-film system I have heard of was the '>series of inventions
> patented for mechanically recording sound on film' by F. von Madelar in
> 1913, and which were
> I have the following reference:  "The Recording and Reproduction of Sound"
> by Oliver Read, Howard W. Sams Co. INC., 1949, Pages 23 and 24.  This book
> sites the "Filmgraph" 16mm/35mm endless loop recorder that can record up
> to 11 hours (yes hours) of audio on a loop of unspecified length.  This
> machine automatically moved-over at the end of the loop to start a new
> track and could auto playback in the same manner.  The number of tracks
> that could be recorded were dependent upon the gauge of film, and varied
> between 45 and 100 tracks.  The picture of the machine looks very much
> like one of those very early 1/4 inch steel ribbon tape recorders with the
> clockwork motor and flywheel to smooth out speed variations.  The stylus
> was a permanent type sapphire for both recording and playback.
The second machine mentioned (same source), is the "Recordograph" 35mm
recorder for acetate film with 115 tracks on one side of the 35mm
loop.  Auto tracking (as above) for both recording and playback is mentioned.

This book also addresses the Western Electric method of "hill-and-dale"
embossing where the stylus moves up and down, instead of laterally.

I also seem to remember, but cannot find, a reference to a film embossing
recorder like above that recorded on the base with a laterally modulated
stylus that grooved the film over the picture area for direct
playback;  Perhaps this is the Coe reference Leo mentioned above.