Books in the 4th Dimension

Is it a book or is it a record? 

Not a question you often come across these days. 

But back in the day, John Winston solved this age-old problem that was plaguing mankind when he created the Magic Talking Book. Rather than including a record with an accompanying book as many children's publishers did back then, he made the book cover itself into a record: plop the volume down on the turntable and spin away!

I found a copy of one of these unusual artifacts at a used book store here "down under" and thought I would share this fun lost technology with you here. 

As the ad copy says, they "add a fourth dimension to books"!

I haven't been able to "test drive" the Chuggity Bus Song on an actual turntable yet, but I'll let you know the results of that experiment when I get home!

Enjoy!

william

Comments

[margaret Oomen]

i am pretty sure we had some of these in our old phonograph console at the cottage. My father was a collector of old records from the thrift stores. I wonder what became of them. All I have of his collection are a few jazz recordings.

[Elsita :)]

Wow! I can't wait to see these in person! So beautiful!
Elsi :)

[Jan Milne]

It is nice to hear of your travels in Victoria. Found you via Elsita's blogs.
After 10 years of very dry winters it is lovely to have this rain. Hope it adds atmosphere to your film.
Cheers Jan from Western Victoria.

[dutchbaby]

What a great find! I can only imagine what "The Chuggity Bus Song" sounds like.

[BPM]

Hah....Its a great post!!!Enjoyed reading this!

[BPMN]

It is nice to hear of your travels in Victoria. Found you via Elsita's blogs.

[Michael Lockridge]

It is rather interesting that this concept has come around full circle. Books with audio tracks (ebooks) are being published and promoted. Some are music to read by, others are simply audios of the book being read. Technology has taken this quirky little concept and made it a viable element of any electronic book. Amazing!