Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1890 — A Bellamy Dream Realized. [ARTICLE]

A Bellamy Dream Realized.

Baltimore Sun. One of the dreams of Bellamy’s “Looking Backward” is about to be realized at Paris, France. In his book, the novelist mentions telephonic apparatus introduced into private residences for the purpose of listening quietly at home to theatrical performances, lectures, concerts, sermons, etc., directly transmitted to ons’9 house by the electric current- This is just what the Parisians willenjoy in the nearfuture. —“Theatophon” is the name of atelephonicinstrument which, a few days ago, was put into operation in the French capital, and maintains connections with all the opera bouses and concert rooms of.the city. The apparatus is placed in hotels, restaurants and cases for general use, and may likewise be furnished to private and boarding houses or aingle rooms. The first “theatrophons” were put up in the vestibule of the Theatre des Nouveautes, and are now placed at the disposal of the public. For half a, franc (tern cents) one may listen for five minutes to an opera, aria or a symphony, with the choice of the theatre or concert hall that may be preferred.