Rockin’ Patent – “Generating And Distributing Music”

February 19, 2021

Rockin’ Patent: US Patent No. 580,035
Filed: 4 February 1897
In the name of: Thaddeus Cahill (inventor)
Title: Art Of And Apparatus For Generating And Distributing Music Electronically
What’s claimed: “In an electrical music-generating system, the method of producing composite musical sounds electrically, which consists in (a) producing by induction, in different closed circuits, electric-current undulations corresponding to different component sounds of the composite musical sound desired; (b) synthesizing in a conductor resultant undulations out of the undulations produced, as above mentioned, in a plurality of closed circuits; and (c) translating the built-up electrical undulations into comprise aerial vibrations of similar wave form.”
Why this patent rocks: A remarkable patent and invention, which relates to the telharmonium (also known as the dynamophone). The patent itself appears to include 175 independent claims, which would attract enormous excess claims fees nowadays. You can read more about the telharmonium on Wikipedia here and in a fascinating article on Atlas Obscura titled “The telharmonium Was The Spotify Of 1906” here. To quote directly from the Altas Obscura article:
- “Invented by lawyer Thaddeus Cahill and initially known as the dynamophone, the telharmonium made use of telephone networks to transmit music from a central hub in midtown Manhattan to restaurants, hotels, and homes around the city. Subscribers could pick up their phone, ask the operator to connect them to the telharmonium, and the wires of their phone line would be linked with the wires emerging from the telharmonium station. The electrically generated tunes would then stream from their phone receiver, which was fitted with a large paper funnel to help pump up the volume. (The electric amplifier had not yet been invented.)”

If you’re a patent-savvy music tech business looking for patent help, get in touch with Russell IP here!

The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Share the Post:

Graphical representation of a patent specification

Patent Terms Glossary: Your Guide To The Language of Patents

Patent Terms Glossary: Your Guide To The Language of Patents Are you new to patents? Have you encountered a specific patent term or phrase you’d like to know more about? Our helpful patent terms glossary below offers clear explanations of some of the key terms relating to patents, patent applications and other forms of intellectual property (IP). We hope this glossary provides useful insights into the language of patents and IP, which can be complex topics. Russell IP has the expertise to help guide you through the many nuances, so please do get in touch if you need advice about

International Internet Day: Cryptographic Communications System And Method (US 4,405,829 A)

Celebrating International Internet Day: Five Patents That Have Shaped the Internet

Celebrating International Internet Day: Five Patents That Have Shaped the Internet Introduction: The Dawn Of The Internet Did you know that the first Internet message was just two letters long? On 29 October 1969, the message “lo” marked the beginning of a technology revolution that would change our lives forever. International Internet Day, observed on 29 October each year, commemorates the moment that first message was transmitted over the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET). Interestingly, the intended first message was “login”, but the ARPANET system crashed after only the first two characters had been sent! Over the following 55

Gain the Competitive Edge

Let's see how we can help protect your IP

Get in touch using the contact form or the phone number below to see how we can protect your IP.

There’s no obligation to sign up for anything.

Business address: Russell IP Limited, Fetcham Park House, Lower Road, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9HD (KT22 9ES for sat nav).

Regulated by IPReg. Russell IP Limited is a Private Limited Company registered in England and Wales with company number 12333636 and registered office address 7 St John Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, NG18 1QH.

Rockin’ Patent – “Generating And Distributing Music”

Related Posts

Patent Terms Glossary: Your Guide To The Language of Patents

Celebrating International Internet Day: Five Patents That Have Shaped the Internet

Let's see how we can help protect your IP