Show HISTORY INVENTION OF THE PHONOGRAPH PHONOGRAPH PHONOGRAPH GRAPH November 21 Edison an an- announced announced announced the invention of the phon phonograph phonograph phonograph on November 21 1677 The principal by which human speech could be recorded was known as early at 1855 but no practical ap ap- application application application had been made of its pre pre- previous previous previous to Mr Edison's announcement announce announce- ment The first phonograph produced I ed by Mr Edison consisted of a atin atin tin funnel with a diaphragm attach attached ed to the small end of it A thread thread- threaded ed cylinder covered with tinfoil constituted the record As the sound was recorded or reproduced the grooved cylinder was turned by a crank the needle in the cen cen- center center ter of the diaphragm following the course of the thread When some someone someone someone one spoke into the machine the vi vi- vibration vibration bration of the needle caused inden inden- indentations indentations indentations in the tinfoil By setting the needle in the groove and turn turning turning turning ing the crank the message spoken into the machine could be The first records did not re reproduce reproduce reproduce produce much of the quality of the voice They were harsh and scratchy Both recording and re re- reproduction reproduction re- re reproduction production have been improved to the degree that the individual beauty and quality of the voice is isnow isnow I now faithfully reproduced I |