On 16 April 2001, Tom Baker wrote:

> I inherited some of these Edison business machines from an
> uncle, and they are sitting out in a storage shed.  I never
> knew what to do with them -- still don't.

Some years ago, I saw one of these little motors in an Ampico A spool
box in lieu of the regular wind motor.  At the time, I recall the
variable speed requirement was satisfied through a sliding potentiometer
physically hooked to the tempo slide control.  Not being knowledgeable
in things electrical, I just filed this little tidbit in the back of my
mind, perceiving it might be useful one day.

There was a recent discussion on MMD about sources of small motors
suitable for use in lieu of conventional wind motors.  Perhaps these
Edison dictating machine motors might be another source.  I suspect
that they might well be found on eBay from time to time.  Perhaps our
more knowledgeable people on MMD might expand the use of these old
motors for this purpose.

Regards,

Terry Smythe
Winnipeg, MB, Canada   R3J 2N6
http://www.mts.net/~smythe