13.9

//Source(s): Alan R. Peterson, "Radio World" for September 4, 1996 In the column called "A Look Back."// Here with the salient points: The Wilcox-Gay Recordio was available nearly 50 years ago, and could record either to tape or "hard disc." The "discs" in question were not digital, but hard wax orlacquer phonograph records. During the late 1940's the Wilcox-Gay Corp. of Charlotte, Michigan, manufactured the Recordio 1C10. This was a unique device, part tape recorder and part disc cutter. Originally intended for music students, it was equally functional for touring pro musicians or in the home. Disc recorders of the day could only cut audio directly to disc, but the Recordio allowed recording to tape first, then a transfer to a 10-inch, 78 rpm record blank. The tape could be erased and re-used, but it was also possible to make and edit a tape recording before committing it to wax, all inside one machine. Advertising copy for the Wilcox-Gay Recordio hyped the device as having "full-range, hi-fidelity reproduction," although it most likely topped off at 5 to 7 kHz at best. To compare, the professional "broadcast quality" RCA 73-B disc lathe had 10 kHz response. The ad copy went on to boast a full hour of recording time on one slow-moving five-inch reel. The Recordio could be used as a phonograph or PA system, and could record from microphone or telephone. The icing on the cake was its transportability. The 27-pound unit could be taken anywhere. (((bruces remarks: apparently there was also a coin-driven public version, "the Wilcox-Gay Coin Recordio.")))
 * Dead medium: The Wilcox-Gay Recordio**
 * From: billb@savvy.com (Bill Burns)**