Can't really say that I simply liked that ..... but can certainly say that I positively LOVED it!!!
I'd guess there must be some adjustment of the flyball governor available in order to control the speed, which would be visually determined by the removeable graphic centerpiece that was setting on the record at first, and off on the side at the end. Probably was printed with a proper spacing to "stall" the motion of the "spokes" when running at the correct speed.
That is soooooooooooooooooooooooo COOL!!!
Thanks Stoker. Yes, that's a strobe disc to help adjust the speed to 78 rpm. There's a lever on the back side of the cabinet that, when adjusted up and down, puts a small felt pad in contact with the governor's spinning base (disc)--same as on ordinary spring motor machines.
OMG, so many items combined that I love: Old (Sterling) Engine & 78 records. I now will always want one. I have my great-grandmother's 78 collection and her victrola, which she would play her records for me when I was 5 in her parlor. A few years back I got myself a Wurlitzer 1100 from my brother and I didn't think I'd ever see anything that I would want more than my jukebox.
You Hot air phonograph is beautiful, thank you for posting about it!
That is really interesting, my 1st thought was how to control the speed (explained) & would you be able to hear the record over the engine noise, not a problem at all. that was probably a phonograph player that would have been in a house of means in its day I'm guessing. you find the neatest things Brent.
Absolutely incredible. Who would have thought that there
was a hot-air engine driven victrola-type record player.
In the 60's and 70's, when my parents had a successful
antique shop, victrolas of all sorts were a dime-a-dozen
and 78 rpm records were practically worthless (unless it
was something bluesy). We never saw anything like this
in any of the old houses we were called to. Urban renewal
for a N/S arterial called for the razing of dozens of homes.
We would get a telephone call saying that the families had
taken what they wanted, and for a pittance, we could have
the rest. None of the families were interested in antique
appliances and radios, not to mention old furniture, and
we took it all. Treasure hunting in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Life was so simple back then. Unfortunately, no steam
engines of any sort.
Well, that was fun....
Wayne
Wow! Thanks for sharing this with us, Brent.
What an outstanding piece of history!
Thanks for your comments. What I didn't say was that I'd spent several decades looking for one of these, and when I found one I usually couldn't afford it. Wayne, regarding Victrolas, they're still very cheap nowadays and getting cheaper as younger generations have no interest. Outside horn phonos are more expensive but prices definitely lower now than 10 years ago. 78s are also at giveaway prices unless it's something special.
Brent, that is just the cat's pajamas! How mechanically clever our forebears were!
Thanks Nick and Paula. I take no credit for Swiss workmanship.