Homemade Edison Tinfoil Phonograph

This is a homemade phonograph after the style of Edison's tinfoil phonograph from 1878. It's made from hardware store supplies. I have drawn inspiration from others who have made similar phonographs. My thanks goes to them.

[@jasonngviva]

watching this makes me realize how difficult it was for Edison to invent the phonograph. inspiring video!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you very much for your comment. I don't think that he struggled much with the very first phonograph. He claims that it worked on the first couple of tries. He stated that he was always frightened of things that worked on the first attempt! Kind regards, Lee

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

​@@leeknightable and @juli nov true.

[@gabrielisaacc.almelor582]

Edison was not the first to record voice

[@z4g4n5]

@@gabrielisaacc.almelor582 he was actually the first who record hearable voice, while scott record was more like mmmmpppmhpnlnnpn

[@outruncat]

In a world where everything is becoming digital and disposable, the old technology sometimes hauntingly suggests an alive and timeless feeling. Thanks for the demonstration!

[@Hannahdabeast]

I'm not gonna lie my jaw literally dropped, this is so cool.

[@leeknightable]

I'm glad you liked the demonstration! Thanks, Lee

[@LedZep16]

did you use a threaded cliynder and I'm confused on the reproducer

[@leeknightable]

This is a very crude form of a Tinfoil Phonograph and thus no threaded mandrel (cylinder). The reproducer itself indents the tinfoil. Your voice vibrates the diaphragm which in turn vibrates the needle. The needle "writes" your voice onto the tinfoil. Many thanks! Lee

[@LedZep16]

thanks your friend boss

[@lesmonkmorison2828]

hmm imagine Edison's reaction in those times... really cutting edge for those times....even to imagine such a machine... he was really ahead of his times.

[@FenixDelta753]

What an awesome idea! I'm so glad it worked out. It really shows how much our recording technology has progressed in a relatively short period of time.

[@leeknightable]

You're 100% correct! Many thanks, Lee

[@TheDOTKU]

It's depressing that it took humans so long. So depressing that I feel like there had to have been something like this in ancient times and humans just overlooked it. Perhaps that is true... it seems until recently humans assumed they were more intelligent than their ancestors... maybe that is keeping us from seeing the true richness of our history. I know religions have come along and burned books and razed cities and erased history and went so far as to torture and murder people to dumb people down so they will submit to a very confined mentality. We had to have invented this sooner 'we humans'... there is just no way in my mind that I can imagine people not figuring this out.

[@HemingJulner]

TheDOTKU well, what we refer to as modern human beings have been around for 200k years. We definitely have reinvented lots of things. That being said, it does take a huge genius of a mind to actually invent a device like this from scratch. It's extremely easy to reproduce and digitalize and improve an already existing invention. You are correct tho

[@Spacekriek]

Great video ! That "Ha ! Ha ! Ha !" came through the best, in my opinion. Today it is considered a very crude and basic machine to record sound and I have often wondered why it was not invented a couple of centuries earlier, say, around the 17th century or so. Just think about it, listening to Isaac Newton talking about his great work in physics or other famous people of his time period.

[@leeknightable]

Great Comment! I agree Lee

[@YogijiClamzananda]

I would love to see HS students reproduce this for the science fair and explain the evolution of recorded sound from the Edison to the Mp3.

[@adamskinner5868]

this was an unexpected pleasure that's put a huge grin on my face, many thanks from a guy in New Zealand

[@leeknightable]

Glad you liked the video! Lee

[@leeknightable]

The Reproducer is just a PVC electrical fitting, but anything would suffice really. Next, we have a beveled rubber gasket, you can find something usable at the auto parts store for a couple bucks. Then comes the diaphram of whatever material you choose, waxed paper worked best for me, (bottom of a paper cup.) Finally, I used a couple rubber "O" rings/gaskets, also from the auto parts store. The first gasket is glued to the fitting. The last ones just fit in tightly. Thanks, LEE

[@leeknightable]

This is very tricky. The needle doesn't have to sharp in the truest sense; about the sharpness of a nail. You have to be able to adjust the amount of pressure the stylus puts on the foil and it also needs to be able to give somewhat unless your mandrel is perfectly round. As I said, this is tricky but with some practice you'll get it. Don't hesitate to ask more questions. I will try to help. Keep us posted. Thanks! LEE

[@leeknightable]

@DIYPhonophile The mandrel doesn't necessarily have to be grooved. The one in the video isn't. It is made out of a four inch plumbing coupling and plumbing reducers. This setup reduced the coupling to about 3/4's of an inch. When you tighten the nuts and washers you have to be sure the mandrel is centered up on the rod. It was a little harder than I thought it would be to do! I,m very happy you like the video. If I can help more please let me know.

[@jerryg50]

This invention was genius. As for making your own with hardware store pieces was an interesting project. Not many people would think of making something like this! For Edison to originally do this during his time had to be a mechanical feat. Before this, there was no possible way to reproduce sounds. Photography and then alter on TV were additional huge leaps in technology.

[@spingleboygle]

this is wonderful! i am so interested in ancient technology and this stuff hits the spot!

[@rweerakkody4565]

Thank God someone posted another Tinfoil Phono video. I always await new ones about the tinfoil phonograph (ive been attempting always but nothing works. maybe now is not the time and that i dont have good spare parts. ) THANKS SO MUCH FOR ENTERTAINING ME WITH YOUR PHONOGRAPH.

[@ivyssauro123]

That'a amazing! great work and great video!

[@abhiallen83]

this is just so amazing and cool! great job with that toy you got there.

[@leeknightable]

Thank you sir! Lee

[@leeknightable]

Thanks for your response. Just imagine the first time this idea was actually put into practice, what a miracle it must have seemed to be! The diaphram recreating the sound in conjunction with the needle is so simple to us, now that we know the trick. However, bear in mind that as far as we know in general, this was the first time in history that sound had ever been recorded. I know the French had experimented with sound vibration recording, but it really didn't compare with this. Thanks! LEE

[@SelfConquest]

This is great! Thanks for sharing a video your homemade phonograph.

[@leeknightable]

Matt, thank you very much! Lee

[@Supermike6]

It's amazing how simple he made that and how you could barely hear something playback is like witchcraft.

[@leeknightable]

I know what you mean! Thanks for the reply. Lee

[@jaesonhunter5377]

Thank you soo much for this video. Really eye-opening

[@leeknightable]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it interesting. Lee

[@christo930]

Thanks for the explanation. Great video, you have a lot more patience than I have!

[@MarioVideos52K]

This is actually epic.

[@leeknightable]

Many thanks! Lee

[@jhorne18]

Fascinating. Actually, I was asking the question when seeing previous videos of these machines, "could one make an Edison recording machine at home?" You surely answered that. Thanks for uploading!

[@accumulator5734]

That was amazing. You gotta be a very intelligent person

[@leeknightable]

Not really, just trial and error. Glad you liked the video! Lee

[@kubagurpl8130]

that is so cool

[@leeknightable]

Thank you greatly! Lee

[@Salve_Regina8]

dang! that is soooo cool n interesting Lee! great job!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you greatly!

[@leeknightable]

Many Thanks! Lee

[@honkhonkler7732]

The best I've ever done is make a home made speaker with some magnets, wire, a hamburger helper box and a tuna can.

[@leeknightable]

Sounds interesting!

[@threestarsandasling]

wow! this is the coolest thing i've seen on youtube today 0__0

[@leeknightable]

Thank you sir, glad you liked the demonstration! Many thanks, Lee

[@kajalchauhan9854]

Carlo del Carmen agree with u

[@leeknightable]

Thanks for responding to the video! What you say is true, but only to a very small degree as far as the machine re-recording. To initially record with this primitive setup, you almost need to yell to register any sound. We have to keep in mind that at the time, this was a miracle. Also, in regard to playback, each time you play your recording, it gets a little weaker/distorted. This is largly due to the medium recorded on and to a lesser degree, the re-recording effect you pointed out. LEE

[@baire702]

This is fascinating!

[@leeknightable]

I agree!

[@glasstronic]

Outstanding. Thank you for sharing. :-D

[@leeknightable]

Thanks!

[@joaomoreira2745]

Very ,very wonderful! Brother!

[@leeknightable]

Thank You!

[@leeknightable]

Thanks!

[@italomix2611]

Well, I got to say that this demonstration Is Amazing. I dreamed making this when I was a child. Very simple and increíble result. Congratulations for sharing this.

[@leeknightable]

Thanks!

[@leeknightable]

Thank You Greatly!

[@RickyRoyification]

That was truly amazing and fun. Since you are channeling Mr. Edison, maybe you could invent something called a light bulb to replace candles! :-}

[@Dillinify]

Great job!

[@thegingeradventurer546]

Very cool!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you. Very glad you enjoyed the video. Take a look at my others. Very best, Lee

[@JackOfAllTrades2022]

Very interesting, maybe someday I'll have to try that...Thanks

[@NathanStraub92]

Amazing.

[@leeknightable]

Thanks!

[@leeknightable]

Thanks Greatly!

[@6Texasboi]

Awesome!

[@leeknightable]

Many Thanks!

[@Turkeydoodlers]

Great job I heard that just fine

[@leeknightable]

Thanks for the question. It is a drawer or cabinet handle which I tapped out with a bottom-end tap to 1/4". After that, it is screwed on to a piece of 1/4" all thread. This assembly adjusts the pressure to the stylus. The handle can be found at any Lowes or hardware store for a couple dollars. Best Always! LEE

[@BertieW0oster]

That's great!

[@TheDOTKU]

I like how you made it adjustable. I was trying to figure out how to make sure it is engraving at the right depth. One of these days I'll get around to making one of these!

[@leeknightable]

Glad you liked the video! Lee

[@TheDOTKU]

Honestly people take recording technology for granted and I feel it is important to know the basic stuff like this so these videos aren't just liked they are educating a lot of people. :)

[@leeknightable]

Thank you for your comment. The amazing thing to me is that some people don't understand that this is just a demonstration of the basic idea of being able to record sound. (This sounds bad, rough?) This was a first in history. Not a song, not what someone important is relating, but actual sound itself. Edison's Tinfoil phonograph and the later "Parlor" Phonographs were produced only to prove that sound could be recorded, not to give you the "Beatles". Many thanks!, Lee

[@TheDOTKU]

I can't even imagine how it took so long for humans to get to this... to the point where I wonder if the info was oppressed, and then everything that developed from this so rapidly.

[@leeknightable]

@TheNikkmeffley Thanks for responding to the video! The entire Reproducer assembly tension is adjusted by means of a 1/4 inch threaded rod, with a knob attached. The needle, which is actually a small nail, is glued to a small piece of flexible metal. Thus, you can easily experiment with different amounts of tension between the needle and whatever type of foil you utilize. The needle DOES NOT need to dig into the foil deeply. I would try light pressure at first, and increase it as needed. LEE

[@michelsbastelstube9289]

Amazing mashine !👍🏻

[@leeknightable]

Thank You Greatly! Lee

[@yoshifan0312]

That's actually pretty cool.

[@leeknightable]

+Yoshifan0312RBLX Hello, thank you very much for the comment. Glad you liked the video! Lee

[@Hers_owners_record]

when Edison first heard hes voice was he like "damn did I mess up that bad???"

[@leeknightable]

@radiomanCQ Many Thanks!

[@Rubiksdude1000]

coolest thing ever

[@ricci1729]

very nice , i will try it

[@ufoengines]

Very Cool!

[@leeknightable]

Thanks for your comment.Well said. Best Always, LEE

[@spankytag]

Kind of scary how a piece of something inanimate can hold a remnant of a living creature like that. Especially a remnant as personal as a voice.

[@leeknightable]

I have thought the same thing myself. Lee

[@user-us3ow3lh7q]

very rare, and cool!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you greatly for the comment. I hope to add a new video soon. Lee

[@Grains-Digigunk]

very cool, im going to try to make one at home, but even i can tell you put ALOT of effort making yours your #2 fan s.r.s 77

[@hypnagogia]

Great Job!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you for your comment!

[@leeknightable]

Thank you for your comments! As far as attaching the cone to the phonograph, It's a good idea. I was just trying to keep it simple. Hope you will have the time to build one in the future, it would be fun! Thanks Again, Lee

[@leeknightable]

The Mandrel is just a 4" PVC plumbing coupling and reducers, which can be found at any Lowes or hardware store for a few dollars. Best of luck! LEE

[@duttaluri]

@dumhumdrum ..True, its amazing...we are so used to this now and we feel its no more surprising...but when we really think..it is astonishing...imagine the first listener :)..same goes with CDs and Blu rays now..its not even mechanical vibration.. its just a reflection of light and the distance that is traversed..usually in nano meters...that gives wonderful audio...heard and unheard sounds :)..thats why i am also fascinated by this audio stuff of yester years...

[@tdgtwo850]

Mary had a Little Lamb is a common speech at the Edison Tinfoil

[@MrMornhorn]

OK after watching lots of videos. Sound is Produced by Vibrations..such as a clap..ect... so the sound of your voice pushes the needle onto the tinfoil and then in reverse you get to hear those vibrations back.. but it's still amazing the actual sound ... it plays back is so like your voice. I'd must try make one.

[@AvrahamYairStern]

Awesome! Please do some videos on how to make one I would like to know how to!

[@leeknightable]

Thanks Very Much!

[@leeknightable]

@kirtley2010 I have three Edison machines and two Victrolas. I hadn't really considered doing a video playing discs or cylinders because there are so many out there already! Now that you mention it though, I guess a couple more couldn't hurt! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@pleps5]

How wonderful this work can be made it possible to explain to me how I managed to accomplish You evaluate the most beautiful

[@taiocruz123456]

Very cool

[@Rolleifluxo]

hi leeknightable, sorry for my english i am from brazil and i am constructing a edison phonograph too and waiting for new videos, thanks for the idea of the alluminium tape! when i end my phonograph i post the video here!

[@hypnagogia]

Could you please tell what kind of tension do you have on the needle to make the impressions... and if that is the same tension used for recording and playback? I have made a phonograph similar to yours but have used thin rubber as a diaphragm instead of paper... it seems to amplify the needle sound so I assume it will work.. but haven't been able to record anything yet. My needle is pretty sharp but could it be it needs to be sharper? Thanks for any tips :)

[@leeknightable]

The black round piece you see is an automotive gasket/washer costing about two dollars. Just check out the shelves at any automotive store and you can find something. The white piece you see is the diaphram made out of the bottom of a paper cup. With a little trial and error you'll be surprised what you can come up with. Good Luck!!! LEE

[@leeknightable]

Yes Indeed!, Thanks for the comment. LEE

[@jeancromo]

hello man. my phonograph isn't working. I think the problem is in the needle, it is not vibrating as it should. Could you explain me how you made yours? thank you.

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

Maybe the diaphragm is too hard and can't vibrate freely.

[@jesusalbertogarzagarcia8131]

Esta super bueno

[@Eazy-ERyder]

Neat!

[@jeffshee8969]

Hi!First,thanks for upload this video,your phonograph look nice!Here may I ask,what material did you used in vibrating membrane?(Those black and white color one)And where did you found those?

[@THEVICTROLAGUY]

Edison 1878 tinfoil phonograph recording on aluminum foil : 1878 TINFOIL PHONOGRAPH

[@leeknightable]

Excellent, troy7245. Hope your project is successful! LEE

[@christo930]

What is there to stop the machine from endlessly recording? How do you prevent the device from recording when you are playing back? It seems like this would only work a few times because each time you play it back, it's also recording, especially when you add the cone, isn't that a two way street? Amplifying the sound on the tin, but concentrating ambiant noise on the pin which is connected to the tin.

[@wikitoriarolleston3415]

Wow!

[@alphabeets]

Damn cool! Just think, if you had made this fairly simple contraption 150 years ago, you'd be a multimillionaire.

[@leeknightable]

Thank you very much for your comments!! I would love to see how your machine turns out. Please let us all know and if you do a video, post the link. Best Always, LEE

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

Ok

[@toonman361]

This is sooooo cool. I've been thinking of a similar thing, perhaps with a speed controlled motor. The thing I had no clue about is the diaphragm material. Obviously paper works fine. Perhaps some experimenting with different materials? What did Edison use?

[@leeknightable]

Well, the first diaphragm was thin flexible metal. Later, all types of materials were experimented with including mica. I wouldn't recommend a speed controlled motor at this level of technology. The main thing is to have fun with it. Thanks for the comment and good luck. Lee

[@leeknightable]

@mrJtrek98 Glad to hear from you! I am very curious about what you have built; anxious to see it. If you want to, post your email here so we can communicate directly. Also, I can't take the credit for the Aluminum foil idea, but I'm glad it helps you out. I intend to try other foils, including Tinfoil eventually. Your English is much better than my Portuguese I'm sure! Hope very much to hear from you.

[@ThePenguinExpress]

thanks! where do you buy the thing that the tinfoil is wrapped around? you know, the tube thingy?

[@leeknightable]

That might be next! Thanks for your nice comments. LEE

[@jeffshee8969]

Hi, I tried many tricks but still can't produce any sound... Can you tell me where are you focus in to get yours working?I can't get the same foil that you are using in video, so I just use the aluminium foil that we used for BBQ one. /use in kitchen. Would it be the problem? I tried to play some music to the mouth piece and I can feel some vibration on my needle. (I use a nail here)

[@jacobherd8760]

hi, I'M A BIG FAN OF YOUR PHONOGRAPH ,I'M TRYING TO MAKE A RECORDER BUT I CAN'T ATTACH IT TO THE DOOR HINGE. HOW DID YOU DO THAT? YOUR #1 FAN JH.

[@TheNikkmeffley]

does the needle rest on the tin gently??? or do u push it in kinda hard/deep... im trying to make my own but i cant no matter what..

[@leeknightable]

@rweerakkody4565 Hey, thanks for responding to the video. I too, always enjoy it when a new Tinfoil Phonograph video appears. I'm not as impressed with ones that are machine shop made; even though they are pretty, but what does it prove? We know a machinist can make one. To me, it's more fun to construct one on your own. It's also really entertaining to see what variations people can come up with on their own! - In the near future I might possible do a tutorial on this Phonograph.

[@mrnemesisis9112]

good job

[@leeknightable]

Many thanks, Lee

[@techguy9023]

Have you ever tried recording on the Edison cylinder phonograph using tin foil? What did they use for a diaphragm? Was there a recording diaphragm and a different playback one with a less damaging needle so they cut with one type and playback with one less likely to damage the foil? I think the original recordings on foil were damaged by playing.

[@leeknightable]

Thank you for your comment. Tinfoil is expensive and somewhat hard to come by. When you are experimenting with a new device, you could go through a fortune in real tinfoil before you get the instrument fine turned. Maybe one could test with aluminum foil and then switch over to tinfoil. Originally the diaphragm was a thin piece of metal. Later on, mica and other materials were used. On the original Tinfoil Phonograph, the Kruesi, there were as you suggested two different phonets, one for recording and one for playback. The styli on each one was made differently. This design was quickly abandoned. The main thing to keep in mind is that these machines were new and experimental, and the ideas were changing rapidly. Thanks!! Lee

[@leeknightable]

Thanks! The Reproducer is attached to the hinge with an "L" bracket (1"x1"). You can see the two little 6/32 screw heads on the hinge, just below the Reproducer in the beginning of the video. I admit, the bracket is hard to see. I drilled the PVC of the Reproducer to mount the other side of the "L" bracket. Actually, these are bolts, not screws which are tightened down with a nut. If you want, post your e-mail and we'll communicate directly. Thank you, and good luck!! LEE

[@leeknightable]

Thanks for the response! No, no blueprints. However, you can tell pretty much how to make one from the pictures and descriptions. If you have any problems, ask and I'll try to answer any questions you might have. Best always, LEE

[@jeffshee8969]

Sorry but I have another question.Does the needle need to be very sharp?There were some pits on my foil after record,but it seems not deep enough...

[@kdotdevelopment6398]

Are the grooves going up and down or side to side? I am trying to build one of these myself, but I am having trouble with the diaphragm.

[@leeknightable]

The grooves are "Hill & Dale", up and down. If you have any further questions, just let me know. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! Thanks, Lee

[@kdotdevelopment6398]

Thank You!

[@gerryroberts662]

Cool..

[@kirtley2010]

are you going to do some videos of your edison home

[@leeknightable]

Hello Jeff, BBQ foil will not work; it's too thin. If you don't have the proper tinfoil, which is very hard and expensive too get, the best alternative is some form of aluminum duct-tape. It can be found at any hardware store, you just have too look. Playing music into the mouthpiece will probably not work. For this antique setup you must shout into the mouthpiece. Just experiment and be patient. See it as a fun project, and you will eventually get it! Good Luck, LEE