ABSTRACT
A Danish firm established in 1918 in Copenhagen, by Axel Petersen and Arnold Poulsen, to develop sound motion pictures. By 1923 they were able to demonstrate a sound film, using what they called a “variable area” method that required two separate film strips to run simultaneously, with one carrying the audio and the other the video. The method was accepted and licensed in Europe and America. Later the firm developed new disc cutter heads and amplifying systems, with records issued by Tono. Improvements were also made in tape recording and in recording long-playing microgroove discs. Ortofon moving-coil and moving-magnet pickup cartridges became universally praised, and during the heyday of the LP record the company was one of the world’s leading manufacturers. The firm’s stereo cutterhead was also widely used. The company is also known for rugged, disco-oriented pickups that are admired by disc jockies. High-quality audio equipment is still being produced and is marketed around the world.
