this area, the skilled phonograph men in
the laboratory provided valuable assistance and helped develop
specifications for new dictating machine." The
most that the commercial department could offer them was few
pamphlets explaining the operation the machines and its
uses!
Although the efforts the commercial department did not
bring great deal success (only 3000 serial numbers were
used the 1905-1909 period), there was identification of
some vital goals that shaped the future development the
business.
Sales increased every year the years before the First
World War, but Durand knew that the dictating machine would
have greatly improved achieve mass acceptance in
American business. also needed some
important new features— such the universal motor and easy
correction device. worked all aspects the
. 1906, Charles L.XI- 4
off-season.
Hibbard was brought the laboratory experiment on
dictating machines. The first these was that the business machine had
to designed completely different set criteria than
the amusement phonograph— had different machine,
from casing recorder/reproducer. stayed the lab until 1910 and gained
several phonograph patents. Frank Dyer noted 1907 that despite the
competition Dictaphone, the successor the Graphophone,
"we are beginning succeed" this business. Durand said them 1909: "the large majority of
these dealers are handling our product sideline
