Théâtrophone

Théâtrophone

Théâtrophone ("the theatre phone") was a telephonic distribution system that allowed the subscribers to listen to opera and theatre performances over the telephone lines. The théâtrophone evolved from a Clément Ader invention, which was first demonstrated in 1881, in Paris. Subsequently, in 1890, the invention was commercialized by Compagnie du Théâtrophone, which continued to operate till 1932.

Origin

The origin of the théâtrophone can be traced to a telephonic transmission system demonstrated by Clément Ader at the 1881 World Expo in Paris. The system was inaugurated by the French President Jules Grévy, and allowed broadcasting of concerts or plays. Ader had arranged 80 telephone transmitters across the front of a stage to create a form of binaural stereophonic sound. [cite web
url = http://www.terramedia.co.uk/Chronomedia/years/1880-1884.htm#Ader
title = Chronomedia: 1880-1884
publisher = Terra Media
date = 20 November 2005
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] It was the first two-channel audio system, and consisted of a series of telephone transmitters connected from the stage of the Paris Opera to a suite of rooms at the Paris Electrical Exhibition, where the visitors could hear Comédie-Française and opera performances using two headphones; the Opera was located more than two kilometers away from the venue.cite web
author = A. Lange
url = http://histv2.free.fr/theatrophone/theatrophone.htm
title = Le Premier Medium Electrique De Diffusion Culturelle: Le Theatrophone De Clement Ader (1881)
publisher = Histoire de la télévision
language = French
date = March 31 2002
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] In a note dated 11 November 1881, Victor Hugo describes his first experience of théâtrophone as pleasant. [cite web
author = A. Lange
url = http://histv2.free.fr/theatrophone/hugo.htm
title = Victor Hugo, Premier Temoin Du Theatrophone
publisher = Histoire de la télévision
language = French
date = 31 March 2002
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] [cite book
last = Hugo
first = Victor
authorlink = Victor Hugo
title = Choses vues
publisher = Le Cercle du Livre de France
location = Ottawa
year = 1951
oclc = 883063
]

In 1884, the King Luís I of Portugal decided to use the system, when he couldn't attend an opera in person. The director of the Edison Gower Bell Company, who was responsible for this théatrophone installation was later awarded the Military Order of Christ.cite web
author = A. Lange
url = http://histv2.free.fr/theatrophone/theatrophone2.htm
title = Les Ecrivains Et Le Theatrophone
publisher = Histoire de la télévision
language = French
date = 4 February 2002
accessdate = 2007-11-21
]

The Théâtrophone technology was made available in Belgium in 1884, and in Lisbon in 1885. In Sweden, the first telephone transmission of an opera performance took place in Stockholm in May 1887. The British writer Ouida describes a female character in the novel "Massarenes" (1897) as "A modern woman of the world. As costly as an ironclad and as complicated as theatrophone."

The Théâtrophone service

In 1890, the system became operational as a service under the name "théâtrophone" in Paris. The service was offered by Compagnie du Théâtrophone (The Théâtrophone Company), which was founded by MM. Marinovitch and Szarvady. The théâtrophone offered theatre and opera performances to the subscribers. The service can be called a prototype of the telephone newspaper, as it included five-minute news programs at regular intervals. [cite journal
date = 5 July, 1890
title = Wanted, A Theatrophone
journal = The Electrical Engineer
pages = 4
url = http://earlyradiohistory.us/1890want.htm
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] The Théâtrophone Company set up coin-operated telephone receivers in hotels, cafés, clubs and other locations. It used to charge 50 centimes for five minutes of listening. [cite journal
date = 30 August, 1889
title = The Theatrophone
journal = The Electrical Engineer
pages = 161
url = http://earlyradiohistory.us/1889thea.htm
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] The subscription tickets were also issued at a reduced rate, in order to attract regular patrons. The service was also available to home subscribers.

The famous French literary figure, Marcel Proust, was a keen follower of théâtrophone, as evident by his correspondence. He had subscribed to the service in 1911. [cite web
author = A. Lange
url = http://histv2.free.fr/theatrophone/proust1.htm
title = Marcel Proust, Amateur De Theatrophone
publisher = Histoire de la télévision
language = French
date = 5 January 2002
accessdate = 2007-11-21
] [cite book
title = Proust au miroir de sa correspondance
editor = Luc Fraisse
publisher = SEDES
location = Paris
year = 1996
isbn = 978-2718193403
oclc = 36309265
]

Many technological improvements were gradually made to the original théâtrophone system. The "browny relay", introduced in 1913, yielded interesting results for amplification of the current.

The théâtrophone finally succumbed to the rising popularity of the radio broadcasting and the phonograph, and the Compagnie du Théâtrophone ceased its operations in 1932.

imilar systems

Similar systems elsewhere in Europe included Telefon Hírmondó (est. 1893) of Budapest and Electrophone of London (est. 1895). In the United States, the systems similar to théâtrophone were limited to one-off experiments. Erik Barnouw reported a concert by telephone that was organized in the summer of 1890; around 800 people at the Grand Union Hotel in Saratoga listened to a telephonic transmission of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" conducted at Madison Square Garden.

References

ee also

*Cable radio

External links

* [http://histv2.free.fr/theatrophone/theatrophone.htm Le Premier Medium Electrique De Diffusion Culturelle: Le Theatrophone De Clement Ader] , "The First Electric Medium Distribution Of Culture: The Theatrophone Of Clement Ader (1881)", in French
* [http://telephoniste.free.fr/collections/jean-louis/theatrophone.jpgA 1271x1551 image of a théâtrophone instrument] from [http://telephoniste.free.fr/collections/jean-louis/ La collection de Jean-Louis]
* Danièle Laster. [http://www.persee.fr/showArticle.do;jsessionid=B89531C20991B310888457589A3FD159.vesta?urn=roman_0048-8593_1983_num_13_41_4655 Splendeurs et misères du théâtrophone] (in French).


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  • Théatrophone — Théâtrophone Le théâtrophone est une invention de Clément Ader consistant en un réseau téléphonique relié à l’opéra de Paris et qui permettait d’écouter l’opéra en restant chez soi. Un réseau fut exploité à Paris de 1881 à 1932. Sommaire 1 Notes… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • théâtrophone — [teɑtʀɔfɔn; teatʀɔfɔn] n. m. ÉTYM. 1881, cit.; de théâtre, d après les comp. en phone, notamment téléphone. ❖ ♦ Vx. Appareil transmettant les éléments sonores d un spectacle théâtral. 0 Le théâtrophone (…) Ce merveilleux phénomène, inauguré dès l …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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  • théâtrophone — noun An early telephone technology allowing subscribers to listen to live opera and theatre performances …   Wiktionary

  • theatrophone — theatˈrophone noun (historical) A telephone connecting callers to a theatre so they can listen to a live performance there • • • Main Entry: ↑theatre …   Useful english dictionary

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