46 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
1878-1882 
At the April session of the following year, Mr. Thomas A. 
Edison exhibited to the Academy the phonograph, which was 
invented by him in 1877, and also his “ carbon telephone.” ‘The 
record contains the following statement regarding this exhi- 
bition: 
April, 1878. 
“During the session Mr. Thomas A. Edison exhibited to the Academy his 
Phonograph and Carbon Telephone, communicating with the latter through 
one of the Western Union Telegraph wires with the Central Office of that Com- 
pany in Philadelphia, and members of the Academy holding conversation with 
Mr. Henry Bentley of that city.” 7% 
Toward the close of the year 1877 the health of the second 
President of the Academy, Joseph Henry, suffered a severe 
decline, and at the April session of 1878 an address was read in 
his behalf, in which he called attention to his long term of ser- 
vice, and renewed the request which he had made some six 
years previously, that he be allowed to resign his office. In 
closing his address he remarked, “I retain the office six months 
longer in the hope that I may be restored to such a condition of 
health as to be able to prepare some suggestions, which may be of 
importance for the future of the Academy.” ™ 
The appreciation of Henry’s services was such that the follow- 
ing resolution was adopted unanimously: 
“ Resolved, That with every sentiment of sympathy and regard for Professor 
Henry, the Academy most respectfully declines to entertain any proposition 
looking to his retirement from the office of President.” ° 
His infirmities, however, increased with such rapidity that he 
was obliged to hasten his valedictory address, and at the end of 
the same session his farewell was delivered in the following 
words: 
“GENTLEMEN: I have been much interested in the proceedings of the present 
meeting of the National Academy. Although I have been unable to be present, 
* Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. 1, p. 130. 
* Loc. cit., p. 132. 
*> Loc. cit., p. 132. 
