In a message dated 12/14/2006 9:45:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, esroberto at hotmail.com writes: > >> [Robert]: I don't get it. What's the difference? How does this one put > the > >> soundwaves into the cylinder material? This just seems silly and > >> redundant. What am I missing? > ========== This 6,185,179 is actually a rather clever reversal of the principle embodied in the 1877-78 primal patent, with the record itself doing the work of the diaphragm. US Patent law, unlike that of other countries, does not require that an item be actually manufactured. Since this stylus is supposed to be fixed and rather unyielding, the wear factor on the recording would be great, and not recommended for any long-lasting sound. Allen www.phonobooks.com