The Smyth mechanism looked like the Wurlitzer Simplex mechanism except that it had substantial engineering differences. First off, the record stack had 20 selections, not 24; the trays swung out from left to right – (from the rear of the stacker) exactly opposite the Simplex. Also, the Smyth had a post that rode up and down the stack when a selection was made and a mechanical “finger” would unlock the tray from the stack, enabling it to swing out completely before the turntable rose…

The Smyth mechanism also used a scissor-like device so that if you look at it while it’s cycling, you will see what I am talking about. Wurlitzer Simplex mechs used a different electro-mechanical technology. The one drawback of the Smythe mech was it needed constant lubrication. There is a single oil hole under the turntable for this purpose.
The other drawback was that the selection post would sometimes not raise all the way to the top when #1 was selected; usually going from selection #20 at the bottom to #1 at the top - this was due to the mech going out of adjustment. It is a nightmare to remedy and takes lots of time and patience.

(info: Edward M. Liss)

US-Patents: 2,159,832 - filed 1934   <>   2,119,251   <>   filed 1935   <>   2,159,833 - filed 1935   <>   2,159,834 - filed 1936