Recording History
You Tube documentaries:
History of the Gramophone - Oliver Berliner (the grandson of Emile Berliner, inventor of the grammophone and the carbon microphone).
This is in 6 parts.
Emile Berliner & the Birth of the Recording Industry - from the Recorded Sound Section at the Library of Congress
History of the Gramophone (BBC 1988)
In 4 parts.
The first few minutes are missing. The person the commentator is speaking of is Fred Gaisberg, who propelled Enrico Caruso to stardom by first recording him in 1902.
The Story Of Thomas Alva Edison (Biography Channel, 1996)
Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville's Phonautograms
Scott invented the Phonautogram in 1857 (20 years before Edison's phonograph). It recorded sound but could not play it back...until 2008!
The first sound recording
This is in 6 parts.
Emile Berliner & the Birth of the Recording Industry - from the Recorded Sound Section at the Library of Congress
History of the Gramophone (BBC 1988)
In 4 parts.
The first few minutes are missing. The person the commentator is speaking of is Fred Gaisberg, who propelled Enrico Caruso to stardom by first recording him in 1902.
The Story Of Thomas Alva Edison (Biography Channel, 1996)
Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville's Phonautograms
Scott invented the Phonautogram in 1857 (20 years before Edison's phonograph). It recorded sound but could not play it back...until 2008!
The first sound recording
Links
Library of Congress: Emile Berliner
Talking Wax A personal account of the development of recording (1945) by Leroy Hughbanks. The development of both the gramophone and the phonograph are included, and also wire recording. Toward the end he speculates about a new record material; 'plastic', that will eliminate surface noise and be scratch-free! No mention is made of the important part tape recorders will play, as although in use by the Germans at that time, the technology was then unknown in the USA.
British Library online showcase - the gramophone. A 3D picture display of various gramophones, including the Gramophone Company 'Trademark' model from 1898.
The Cheney Talking Machine
Edison Diamond Discs These discs used the 'hill & dale' (vertical) groove, just like the cylinders.
Ross Snyder interviews Ross Snyder was the Ampex engineer who conveived Sel-sync (thus making multi-track recording possible). Mort Fujii was the engineer who did most of the actual design.
Sel-Sync and the "Octopus" ARSC Journel 2003
The last wire recorder, the Protona Minifon
BBC Radiophonic Workshop A series of articles detailing the work of the Radiophoic Workshop from its beginning in 1957 until closure in 1996. Written by Ray White who worked at the BBC from 1973-93, and was the BBC RW Senior Engineer.
BBC Radiophonic Workshop Gallery A comprehensive collection of photos (with captions) accompanying the articles.
Talking Wax A personal account of the development of recording (1945) by Leroy Hughbanks. The development of both the gramophone and the phonograph are included, and also wire recording. Toward the end he speculates about a new record material; 'plastic', that will eliminate surface noise and be scratch-free! No mention is made of the important part tape recorders will play, as although in use by the Germans at that time, the technology was then unknown in the USA.
British Library online showcase - the gramophone. A 3D picture display of various gramophones, including the Gramophone Company 'Trademark' model from 1898.
The Cheney Talking Machine
Edison Diamond Discs These discs used the 'hill & dale' (vertical) groove, just like the cylinders.
Ross Snyder interviews Ross Snyder was the Ampex engineer who conveived Sel-sync (thus making multi-track recording possible). Mort Fujii was the engineer who did most of the actual design.
Sel-Sync and the "Octopus" ARSC Journel 2003
The last wire recorder, the Protona Minifon
BBC Radiophonic Workshop A series of articles detailing the work of the Radiophoic Workshop from its beginning in 1957 until closure in 1996. Written by Ray White who worked at the BBC from 1973-93, and was the BBC RW Senior Engineer.
BBC Radiophonic Workshop Gallery A comprehensive collection of photos (with captions) accompanying the articles.
