Edisons Phonograph
What are we looking at?
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This artifact is a device that records sound onto tinfoil cylinders. Made with aluminum foil wrapped around the drum, the needle records the vibrations of someone’s voice mimicking back their voice. While it can’t be used more than a few times before the foil crumbles and voice warped it is the world’s first example of electricity distribution. Fun fact this phonograph has an audio recording that hasn’t been heard due to pieces of tinfoil falling off disrupting the potential unheard recording.
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The historical significance of the artifact?
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The phonograph was the first device to record sound and reproduce it inspiring inventors to venture out in new possibilities when it came to audio recording and reproduction. The phonograph made it possible for music to be heard in many homes along with providing aid to blind people and letter writing without the help of a stenographer.
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