The Alfred Gruenhut Talk-A-Vision Soundies Collection

Descriptive Summary
Title: The Alfred Gruenhut Talk-A-Vision Soundies Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1920-1956
Language(s): English. German
Extent: 1 Linear Feet
Collection Number: ms4647
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Alfred Gruenhut (1905-1968) was an inventor and designer born in Augsburg, Germany. He and his family evacuated Germany prior to Kristallnacht and arrived in New York City in August 1937, sponsored by a distant cousin, and eventually moved to Chicago. By 1939, he brought his wife, Edith, her mother and sister, and both of his parents to the United States. Alfred Gruenhut worked in New York with Yermie Stern on the invention of "Talk-a-Vision," one of several "jukebox shorts" machines which enabled people to watch films in a department store or tavern, like a movie jukebox. His other inventions include a lo-jack for boats, vending machines, and an optical illusion carnival machine.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of patents, blueprints, technical drawings, correspondence, and other documents related to Gruenhut's designs and inventions.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

The Alfred Gruenhut Talk-A-Vision Soundies collection, ms4647, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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folder

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1

1

Lists of patents and inventions

 

1

2

Correspondence and other documents, 1934-1942

 

1

3

Address book and notebook

 

1

4

Patent drawings

 

1

5

Talk-A-Vision patent, photographs, and other documents, 1941-1944

 

1

6

Prince Karma advertising device patent and other documents, 1939

 

1

7

Card selecting machine patent and other documents, 1936, 1940

 

1

8

Automatic phonograph documents and advertisements, 1946

 

1

9

Anti-theft device for automobiles and boats patents and other documents, 1920-1934

 

1

10

Automatic slide projector patent and other documents, 1946

 

1

11

Package vending machine patent, circa 1940s

 

1

12

Hot food vending machine design drawings and description, 1956

 

1

13

Directional speaker patent and advertisements, 1962

 

1

14

Adapter for eyeglasses patent, 1933

 

1

15

Girl in Fishbowl design drawing, circa 1940s

 

1

16

Ice making machine advertisements, circa 1950s

 

1

17

Bottle vending machine advertisements, circa 1940s

 

1

18

Photographs of materials

 

1

19

Ice cream dispenser technical drawing, 1949

 

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1

Technical drawings and advertisements

 

oversized_folder

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2

Technical drawings and blueprints

 

oversized_folder

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3

Technical drawings and blueprints