[Harp-L] inventions of steel proof

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Coble writes:

"Take a good look at the Web site that Dave posted:

http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=211764

If that doesn't "prove" the existence of very sophisticated  
engineering test
facilities, then I don't know what would. Those types of tests are  
NOT performed
by Joe Sixpack in his garage, who just wants a better harmonica at a  
lower price."


All it proves is that they have a access to a microphone and spectral  
analysis software (there is freeware, IIRC).  They may or may not  
have a suction unit as well and apparently do have a ruler or measure  
of some sort to get the distance from the microphone.  Just about  
anyone who wants could do this experiment with ease.

Also, while I applaud Seydel for experimenting and making steel  
harmonica reeds a reality, this isn't some great "invention".  It's  
an adaption of a new material to a new format.  As has been noted,  
steel reeds have been the standard for accrdions and concertinae for  
over 100 years.  Even then, it was not some massive invention, but  
just a switch of very similar materials (spring steel for spring  
bronze).  They also have precedent in the harmonica from Hohner's  
brilliant Harmonetta (which was most surely an invention) and the  
many people who put those reeds in harmonicas (particularly  
chromatics), as well as people like Vern and SmoJoe who tried steel  
reeds of their own make.

Much like most alternate tunings people come up with, this was less  
some radical rethought of how things had been before, but rather a  
logical extension and modification of pre-existing designs and  
systems.  That doesn't negate the amount of work needed, and indeed  
most "inventions" are much more evolutionary than revolutionary in  
design, but lately there seems to be a fascination with who  
"invented" what on harp-l, and I think a look at the reality of  
(usually convergent) evolution in the design process of the harmonica  
is much more satisfactory, illuminating and in the end true than  
trying to pinpoint some sort of ownership of these ideas in an  
individual.

Take the XB-40 and the responder reed idea.  It is something that  
many people have worked on over the years, usually coming up with the  
idea on their own.  Rick Epping didn't "invent" the idea (nor has he  
ever claimed to).  What he did was create a truly innovative way of  
making the responder reed work, and more importantly get that idea  
patented and manufactured.  Even the idea of valving chambers, at the  
heart of his design, had been thought of by others--but he did the  
work to make it a reality.  To me, the entirety of that story, one of  
multiple people coming up with the idea, but one person actually  
making it work is infinitely more interesting, and a much better  
reflection of reality than creating some "first thought" myth of an  
inventor.





 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
`----'