Even though audio recording is a technology that is so pervasive in our lives that it has become something we have taken for granted, we must not forget how important in society. There is not one piece of communication technology that has not benefitted from the advances made in audio recording. Over time, each new technology has made new strides in capacity and quality.
Phonoautograph
It all started with Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville in 1857, who invented the phonoautograph. The phonautograph consists of three parts: the horn, where the speaker talks into; the membrane and stylus, which vibrates as the speaker talks, and the paper which is written on by the vibrating stylus. The phonoautograph was able to draw the sound, but it was not able to play it back.
Phonograph
In 1877, Thomas Edison improved upon Martinville's design by making it able to record and playback audio. The phonograph essentially had the same parts and the phonoautograph but the main difference was that the paper in the phonoautograph was replaced by an impressionable cylinder made of tin foil or wax. Edison was then able to use these cylinders, through electronic means, to playback the audio.
In 1877, Thomas Edison improved upon Martinville's design by making it able to record and playback audio. The phonograph essentially had the same parts and the phonoautograph but the main difference was that the paper in the phonoautograph was replaced by an impressionable cylinder made of tin foil or wax. Edison was then able to use these cylinders, through electronic means, to playback the audio.
Gramophone
Ten years later, Emile Berliner invented the gramophone. The main difference between the gramophone and phonograph was the recording material. As said before the phonograph used wax cylinders to record the audio, the gramophone instead used flat discs. There was no difference in sound quality between the two. The main reason why the gramophones discs became more popular is because they were cheaper to mass produce.
Ten years later, Emile Berliner invented the gramophone. The main difference between the gramophone and phonograph was the recording material. As said before the phonograph used wax cylinders to record the audio, the gramophone instead used flat discs. There was no difference in sound quality between the two. The main reason why the gramophones discs became more popular is because they were cheaper to mass produce.
Magnetic Tape
According to the text, the Germans used magnetic tape recordings in World War II, but the technology was captured by the allies. This type of recording works by magnetizing a strip of plastic coated in iron oxide, the varying strength of the magnetization creates the recording. Magnetic tape recordings soon would become very popular. They were first played in reel-to-reel players, then in 8-track tapes, and then finally in cassettes.
Compact Discs
In the 1980s, CDs were introduced as a new digital way to listen to audio. To record on a compact disc, the audio is first converted into a string of ones and zeros, and then transcribed onto the disc as either a hole or bump, respectively. To playback the audio, CD players will shoot a laser onto the disc; the laser will either reflect back or be deflected depending on the transcription.
