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I have followed out the experiments of Page and of 

 lieis. All investigators have followed the idea of Page. 

 I found that his theory of the cause of the sound was a 

 mistake. An empty coil will produce the same effect. 

 When you pass a current of electricity intermittently 

 through an empty coil musical notes are emitted. When 

 passed through a lead pencil a very pleasing note was 

 emitted through the plumbago ; also through an iron 

 wire, and curious results are caused by induced electric- 

 ity through the fore arm. 



In the course of experiments by a number of persons 

 joining hands with Ruhmkorff's coil a sound from the 

 clasped hands was produced. Whenever the current 

 through the persons joining hands was made or iM'oken, 

 a sound was produced. A piece of paper placed between 

 the hands produced a still more curious effect. 



These are effects produced directly by the currents of 

 electricity. Still more interesting effects are produced 

 by placing an iron coil near the magnet ; by placing it 

 nearer and nearer, the sound is louder and louder. This 

 happens from every piece of iron placed near the magnet, 

 and the effect is still greater when it is expanded into a 

 thin membrane. 



I hope I shall be able to exhibit some of these effects 

 to-night. This, however, is the first attempt to do this 

 before an audience, and it is possible the experiments 

 may not succeed so well as I desire. The first thing is 

 the pnjduction of a musical note in the way I have first 

 described by intermittent currents. My friend, Mr. 

 Thomas A. Watson, is at this moment creating an inter- 

 mittent current in Boston. [Loud and distinct sounds, 

 followed by an audible message, are heard.] 



I believe I am the first person who has adopted the 

 practice of using a metal diaphragm in the telephone. 



