Tweet Victor's Auxetophone

Between 1906 and 1918, the Victor Talking Machine Company produced a most intriguing machine called an Auxetophone. It was an external-horn phonograph mounted on a beautiful cabinet, but it wasn't a purely decorative or aesthetic choice: the cabinet doors concealed an air-compression system that was connected to the soundbox and amplified the records *way* beyond the capabilities of an ordinary external-horn model or a Victrola. Some of the volume was necessary to lessen the noise of the compressor and these machines were clearly better-suited for public spaces than homes (without the compressor, Auxetophones produced a rather weak tone. However, they could be fitted with a standard soundbox and function like any other external-horn Victor). They are quite rare today, but a few collectors are lucky enough to own one.

You can see (and hear) one in action at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7SV65DFNy8

Or if you want to hear Caruso:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVhzNv74CXU&NR=1

Much more information about Auxetophones is available at http://www.auxetophone.com/Welcome.html. The "specials" section contains some amazing specimens with custom decoration and wood.

-Harold