Phonograph

A phonograph is the invention of Thomas Edison that is meant for the analog or mechanical recording and production of the sounds. It produces sound through the vibration of a needle or stylus. The disc or record of this device stores a copy of the sound waves in the form of a series of undulations of a spiral grooved incised on its rotating surface through the stylus. When this disc or record again plays back, the other stylus will respond to it, converting the motions into sound. The credit for inventing the Phonograph goes to Thomas Edison in 1877; however, later, Alexander Graham Bell made many significant improvements to the model and named the new model graphophone. After five years of research and hard work, this model was invented in the Volta Laboratory in Washington DC, the US; later, it was improvised by modifying the drive system, needle, stylus, and sound system.

The invention of the Phonograph

As already said, Thomas Edison was the inventor of this astonishing invention of a Phonograph. The irony is that Edison had lost most of his hearing ability, yet he discovered the first sound machine in the Menlo Park Lab. According to him, it was his favourite invention. He was working on improving the telephone and telegraph when he discovered how to record sounds on tin foil-coated cylinders. This machine has two needles, one for recording the sound and the other for playing it back. Edison spoke in the mouthpiece, and the sound vibrations were intended on the other recording needle. In the first Phonograph, the first words that he said were, “Mary had a little lamb.” The machine played his words back, leaving him amazed. However, the tin foils would shatter after a few plays, and the recording is no longer available. Therefore, these tin foils are no longer in use now. 

In 1878 Edison set up his company “Edison Speaking Phonograph Company” to sell his new and best invention. He loved his story so much that he sometimes called it a “baby.” He suggested that it can be helpful for letter writing, recording the voices of the family members, recording telephone communications, etc. This device immensely helped the soldiers cheer up during World War by listening to music that reminded them of their hometowns. The US army bought many such special devices for 60 dollars. 

Improvements over Time

The original model was a breakthrough invention; however, it was not an ideal device that could be used for a longer time. Therefore, several scientists have started their research on improving this device. In 1901, mass-produced wax cylinders helped people to record a more significant amount of sounds rather than a single sound in one cylinder at a time. This proved to be a great discovery for the music industry, as the artist could now record more of their songs with less hassle. We can say that this device was the base of the music industry globally.

Moreover, it immensely helped people record their important messages, the voices of their loved ones, and other information. In 1913, the cylinders were replaced by discs for playing the recorded sounds. Now, they are famous as the record players used widely in the modern music industry globally. 

Working on a Phonograph

The arrangement of cylinder and grooves appropriately is necessary for the proper working of the device. Therefore, the working of a phonograph involves some engineering techniques to be followed.A Horn attached to a diaphragm collects the sound. This sound is responsible for creating vibrations in its medium (the air) while passing through the horn. Thus, it causes the diaphragm to vibrate. This diaphragm remained attached to the stylus or the needle and pressed into a cylinder. This cylinder is either covered in wax or a thin layer of tin foil. Now, the stylus or the needle pushes into the wax or the tin foil. On the rotation of the cylinder, it also cuts the groove. Moreover, the stylus moves up and down slightly while vibrating due to the sound. As a result, the wax receives a recording of this sound in its groove. 

We must use this stylus to translate the groove back into vibrations to the diaphragm for playing this recorded sound. This leads to the horn, which will play the recorded sound. 

Conclusion

The Phonograph was a breakthrough invention in the field of music by Thomas Edison in 1877. He was working on improving the telephone and telegraph when he discovered this device that could record and playback the sound. He believed it to be his best invention and often called it a “baby.” In 1878 Edison set up his company “Edison Speaking Phonograph Company” to sell his new creation. He used tin foils in the device, which got worn out after a few plays; therefore, it was replaced with wax cylinders. In 1913, the cylinders were replaced by discs for playing the recorded sounds. Now, they are famous as record players. The proper arrangement of cylinder and grooves is necessary for the smooth working of the device. Therefore, the device requires few engineering techniques to set up and work efficiently.