| RefNo | ACS/1/2/6/3 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from [Alan Archibald Campbell Swinton], 66 Victoria Street, London, S. W., to Alice [Susan Lucy Campbell] Swinton, Seton Castle, Longniddry |
| Creator | Swinton; Alan Archibald Campbell (1863-1930); British electrical engineer |
| Date | 6 October 1893 |
| Description | Explains that this letter was dictated into a phonograph in Swinton's rooms and the cylinder on which the record has been made was then taken down to his office fixed to another phonograph and from its dictation typewritten. Discusses associated high costs with the hire of the Edison Phonograph Co, commenting on how it will pay off for him in the long run as it can act as a shorthand clerk. Describes the system as wonderfully perfect, identifying room for improvement, partiuclarly the difficulty in talking sufficiently rapidly not tuse up the whole of the recording cylinder between one's words, as well as the inability to make corrections. Enclosed is a newspaper cutting from the Scarborough Post, dated 28 August 1893, titled 'The Electric Light in Scarboro', at the generating station'. |
| Extent | 3p |
| Format | Typescript |
| PhysicalDescription | This letter was presented to the Royal Society within the envelope in which it was received by Swinton. The envelope has been retained and referenced accordingly. |
| Carbon |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8285 | Swinton; Alan Archibald Campbell (1863 - 1930); electrical engineer | 1863 - 1930 |