This is an old portable dictating machine from the early 1960s. It uses the "Dictabelt", similar to a phonograph/vinyl record. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw_ZFVDJOyY

Celebrating 10 years of my CassetteMaster account, from 1/28/07 to 1/28/17. Nuff said. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vff2lNUkcPw

A unit recently acquired off eBay. I was the only bidder. Low price, so I went for it. Recorder was only $1, shipping $14. AC bias, manual and auto-level control selectable, tape counter, two-speed changeable by capstan-sleeve. Fixed on a good day. Unit had a deteriorated main drive belt, but I had a replacement that literally fit perfectly. Unit also possessed leaky electrolytics, no surprise there. Fully-functional machine now. Allied Radio branded unit, but unit is manufactured by Toshiba in Japan. I believe later Realistic branded units of the same form factor (with different colouring) were made later, after Tandy acquired Allied Radio. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a8Qh_2XV2U

This is an authentic telephone operator and call, recorded in 1951 on a Standard Business Machines model 160 wire recorder in New Mexico (likely Albuquerque). It is fascinating to listen to. It is believed to be a teenage boy calling to get ahold of his friend Gerry, who was "downtown someplace" and not available to speak. Recordings like this from the 1950s (and earlier, when possible) are priceless and special, as they capture a by-gone era--without actors!! It captures real-life people in a simpler time. What is fascinating is the accent of the people of the era, likely influenced by the Mid-Atlantic accent that was widely used on radio and television in those days. People just don't talk like this anymore! If anyone has a Telegraphone they wish to donate, I would be EXTREMELY interested. Much attention is payed to historical cylinder recordings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, which are of great historical value. But what about early magnetic recordings? There is an amazing recording from 1900 (!) that will take your breath away. It is the earliest known surviving magnetic recording. Yet there are many more not-so-early but still very historical and priceless recordings hidden away on spools in old Telegraphone machines on display in museums. What a pity those recordings are not uncovered! There are likely many more such recordings that are even more interesting. For any viewers, I have a proposition--there are FEW original early-1900s to 1910's vintage TELEGRAPHONE wire recorders left around. I have seen pictures of several examples online, typically in museums. On those machines are spools of recording wire. Chances are, there are very early, PRICELESS MAGNETIC RECORDINGS on them, of telephone calls or dictation. If those Telegraphones were carefully restored, the recordings on them could be digitized, and an incredible audible history of "common people" and telephone conversations could be uncovered, from those early days!! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3GVMwRLZtE