Birthplace of the Sound Motion Picture (with Bonus Edition Introduction) - AT&T Archives

[@mspysu79]

The picture of a a microphone shown at 1:03 is not a Condenser microphone, but a Western Electric model 387 double button carbon microphone.

[@MediaWest]

they need to show this to all the kids sitting with their laptops and their DAW with a usb mic and drumbox. this is how it all started.... great piece!

[@MrSuperbatone]

I like the "testing" scene in Bell Labs (6:21), especially the fact that a woman engineer is included, who seems perfectly at ease with her male colleagues and just goes about the business of analyzing Duralumin.

[@digitalmetadata1]

I agree at 1:03 looks like a carbon microphone and not condenser. The double button carbon provided push-pull action I understand to provide more linear response of sound pressure to voltage output which reduced harmonic distortion.

[@davidcarson4421]

You are correct; double-button WE mic.

[@MediaWest]

i was always curious how western electric was able to record optical in the early days. amazing work at that factory. we still use old w.e. limiters with old Bakelite knobs in the studio. some fetch tens of thousands of bucks!...

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent

[@gramaphoneman1]

Too bad that little or no credit is given to Dr. Lee Deforest who invented sound on film by 1922! By 1923 it has amazing quality.

[@johnsmyth3127]

Actually the variable density competitor to the WE variable-area system was developed by Ted Case in Auburn NY, arising from his work in developing an optical telegraph for the Navy in 1916. However, because amplification was required using the deForrest-developed Audion, he wouldn't allow its use unless it was credited to him. Case and deForrest eventually split and further development was assisted by Earl Sponable. The scheme was eventually adopted by Fox as their Movietone system, and was used for the Fox Movietone Newsreel camera because their system was simpler and more portable. Interesting that Case and another deForrest victim, Edwin Armstrong (FM) both later committed suicide because of lack of recognition.

[@davidcarson4421]

Unfortunately, the microphone visual near the beginning is of a carbon microphone. Condenser mics had much better fidelity and were used for sound movies, although there is a carbon mic in a photo of a crew recording Leo the MGM Lion with a unblimped camera; staged, perhaps

[@flemmingmller2274]

How about Petersen and Poulsen from Denmark, do you have any information about them, i have an Kamera build of "Petersen and Poulsen " in 1929 and the kamera rekorder picture and sound at same time in the same 35m film. I have the kamera and it is unik they only made this kamera in 35mm. Do you ever heart about it?.

[@Lauderdalesfinest954754]

Sonogram..! lol