Subject
Phonograph Books
Best books
Leslie J. Newville
Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, United States National Museum Bulletin 218, Paper 5, (pages 69-79)
"Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory" by Leslie J. Newville is a scientific publication written in the mid-20th century. The book explores the innovative work done by Alexander Graham Bell and his associates in developing the phonograph, a pivotal technology in sound recording and reproduction that significantly improved upon Edison's earlier inventions. The narrative provides insights into the collaboration and experiments that took place at Bell's Volta Laboratory, highlighting the technological advancements made and the eventual commercialization of these groundbreaking inventions. The content of the book chronicles the establishment of the Volta Laboratory Association and the key figures involved, including Charles Sumner Tainter and Chichester Bell. It details the challenges and experiments the team faced in transforming Edison's tinfoil-based phonograph into a more efficient wax recording device. The text covers their early designs and experiments with various forms of sound recording, including disc and cylinder types, leading to the filing of critical patents in 1886. Newville provides a historical context for these developments, examining not just the inventions themselves but also the social and economic factors that influenced their success. Ultimately, the book illustrates how the work done at the Volta Laboratory laid foundational principles that contributed to the modern sound recording industry.
Th. Du Moncel
Le Téléphone, le Microphone et le Phonographe
"Le Téléphone, le Microphone et le Phonographe" by comte Th. Du Moncel is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This work explores the historical and technical developments surrounding the telephone, microphone, and phonograph, detailing the scientific principles that led to these revolutionary inventions. The text discusses various inventors and their contributions to the field of sound transmission, emphasizing the progression of technology in acoustics. The opening of this scientific exploration presents a historical overview of the telephone's origins, tracing back to ancient methods of sound transmission and moving through significant developments leading to the invention of the telephone. It introduces prominent figures in the field, such as Graham Bell and Elisha Gray, and outlines their experimental works leading to the eventual success in transmitting voice electronically. The section also references early theories and experiments about acoustics, establishing a foundation for understanding the mechanisms that made the telephone possible.
Th. Du Moncel
The telephone, the microphone & the phonograph
"The Telephone, the Microphone & the Phonograph" by comte Th. Du Moncel is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The book focuses on the invention, development, and scientific principles underpinning the telephone, microphone, and phonograph, detailing their histories, mechanisms, and various applications. Drawing on the recent and rapid advances of the electrical era, it explores both the technical and practical aspects of these groundbreaking communication devices. The opening of the work establishes a historical context for the telephone by tracing humanity’s desire to transmit sound over distances, from ancient times to the 19th century. It highlights early experiments, such as those involving string telephones, and credits significant figures like Robert Hooke, Charles Wheatstone, Charles Bourseul, Elisha Gray, and Alexander Graham Bell for their roles in evolving the concept and technology of electrical sound transmission. The text delineates the transition from simple acoustic to electric methods, outlines the main disputes over priority, and introduces the principal technologies leading up to the Bell telephone. The narrative then proceeds to explain a range of early telephone designs—including musical telephones and speaking telephones—while also providing detailed descriptions of their construction and operation.
Recently surfaced classics