The Story of The Phonograph
Today we've got DVDs, CDs, MP3s, and the web for all our musical needs. However, none of these would be likely without the invention of the record player, one of the most significant components of technology of all time. It was so pioneering that following its invention in 1877, almost a hundred years passed before it was replaced by newer technologies. And still today, record players carry an oldtime musical feel that ensures they are still very well liked by music aficionados throughout the world. Today, anytime one thinks of a turntable, it is often the Technics or perhaps the Crosley Record Player. Yet more than 100 years ago, the name that mattered most was Thomas Edison.
In 1877, Thomas Edison created what he referred to as the phonograph. Edison's first records were manufactured of tinfoil. These records featured a spiral groove that went up and down the surface area. A hand-cranked device which had a needle, or stylus, was utilized to read the grooves vibrating based on the feel. This became ultimately known as the hill-and-dale method. The vibrations would run up the needle, along a metallic conduit, all the way to a large speaker. The speakers magnified the vibrations into more audible sounds.
At the time Thomas Edison finished his creation, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further enhancements to other scientists.
A decade later, Emile Berliner invented the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style took its origin from Edison's, but rather than using the traditional hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, known as the varying lateral direction method, featured textures on the edges of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) caught on very quickly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of disk records became feasible when Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy made it possible for duplicates to be manufactured indefinitely. At this time, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But when the late 19th century rolled around, so did electricity. Then soon after the electric-powered record player was introduced. Contrary to the hand-cranked record players which can range in speed based on the strength of the operator, electrical players provided consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the tempo of the music.
Gradually, record players became so well liked that whole households gathered around them to take pleasure in quality entertainment. Early methods of the prior-song and skip-song functions of today's Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to choose which song was to be played, a person placed the needle in one of the blank grooves in between the textured ones. For many years, the record player was a favorite possession of music fans everywhere.
With the advent of the nineteen seventies came tape decks and 8-tracks, and soon thereafter, records and record players seemed to be phasing out. However, when DJ-ing became all the rage in night clubs and at parties, the record player reclaimed its dominance.
No matter what technology throws at us, fans of music will always appreciate the record player!
In 1877, Thomas Edison created what he referred to as the phonograph. Edison's first records were manufactured of tinfoil. These records featured a spiral groove that went up and down the surface area. A hand-cranked device which had a needle, or stylus, was utilized to read the grooves vibrating based on the feel. This became ultimately known as the hill-and-dale method. The vibrations would run up the needle, along a metallic conduit, all the way to a large speaker. The speakers magnified the vibrations into more audible sounds.
At the time Thomas Edison finished his creation, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further enhancements to other scientists.
A decade later, Emile Berliner invented the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style took its origin from Edison's, but rather than using the traditional hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, known as the varying lateral direction method, featured textures on the edges of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) caught on very quickly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of disk records became feasible when Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy made it possible for duplicates to be manufactured indefinitely. At this time, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But when the late 19th century rolled around, so did electricity. Then soon after the electric-powered record player was introduced. Contrary to the hand-cranked record players which can range in speed based on the strength of the operator, electrical players provided consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the tempo of the music.
Gradually, record players became so well liked that whole households gathered around them to take pleasure in quality entertainment. Early methods of the prior-song and skip-song functions of today's Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to choose which song was to be played, a person placed the needle in one of the blank grooves in between the textured ones. For many years, the record player was a favorite possession of music fans everywhere.
With the advent of the nineteen seventies came tape decks and 8-tracks, and soon thereafter, records and record players seemed to be phasing out. However, when DJ-ing became all the rage in night clubs and at parties, the record player reclaimed its dominance.
No matter what technology throws at us, fans of music will always appreciate the record player!
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