The Voices of US Presidents - 1889-1923 - A Historian Reacts

[@duncanmcgee13]

The fact that 130 year old audio exists is amazing to me alone

[@sokol9263]

Theres a 161 year old voice recording. Technically they could have recorded Lincoln's voice, but the technology was just so rare then

[@zachester]

@@sokol9263 there is a rumor that Edouard-Leon Scott actually did record Lincoln's voice in a visit to the U.S. in 1863. If he did I would love for experts to get their hands on that recording.

[@bigmoniesponge]

@@zachester I assume it’s very unlikely the record still exists or works.

[@elhadj3475]

@@bigmoniesponge it could be very likely

[@panther7748]

There is an audio record of Otto von Bismarck's voice, also recorded in 1889.

[@mallc8874]

it's sad that we don't have recorded lincoln's voice, i would have loved to hear his voice in 2021

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I wish we had it as well. From all the descriptions I've read, I think Daniel Day-Lewis got it pretty close.

[@stevefyfe1018]

I remember hearing in high school that he had kind of a nasally high-pitched voice, which made his delivery of the Gettysburg Address that much more impressive

[@undertakernumberone1]

@@VloggingThroughHistory Funfact. There is a recording of a persorn born in the 18th century. Helmuth von Moltke the elder was born in 1800 which, pedantically is actually the last year of the 1700s. The 19th century began only with 1801. Iirc Otto von Bismarck also has a recording. Maybe listen to them at some point? Moltke iirc did his in german and english, but the quality aint great anymore. Iirc it's roughly Harrison level.

[@MinecraftMasterNo1]

@@undertakernumberone1 Bismarck's recording was done on some rudimentary tech that used wax cylinders. Obviously, that stuff degrades like crazy and you can barely make out anything but static.

[@cheesuschrisp931]

I bet he sounded like Bobcat Goldthwait.

[@KleinpeterHank]

My biggest surprise was how “modern” Tafts voice sounded. I guess it differed from the trans-Atlantic accents from around that time.

[@TotalDramaHarold]

He sounds like a 1950s TV narrator

[@evelynriedel2334]

It was a very pleasant surprise. I can definitely picture him as a Supreme Court Justice, reading an opinion aloud

[@calvinkeinath6955]

“Sniveling weasel” perfect description of how he sounds to me. Wilson has always reminded me of a classic 50s-60s comic book type villain based on looks alone but the voice I think pushes it over the top for me

[@woodrowwilson4126]

Woodrow Wilson is my favourite president.

[@calvinkeinath6955]

@@woodrowwilson4126 said absolutely no one ever

[@Bendyrulz]

Read the name.

[@alphadoughnut2651]

@@calvinkeinath6955 read the name

[@marygortney9406]

@@woodrowwilson4126 I still don't understand why people like you

[@martintruman9530]

wilson: speaks Me: He sounds exactly how i thought he would(cartoon villain) vlogging through history: Sniveling weasel

[@memecliparchives2254]

Cynical Historian: 👌

[@Brantlins]

haha!

[@williamwallaceoftheus8033]

I was thinking the same thing when he said it lol

[@paulspears715]

Snidley Whiplash

[@FroxyProxy]

It's kind of shocking (to me at least) that Teddy Roosevelt's voice sounds like that. I always thought his voice would sound deep, idk why.

[@schastye8899]

Same. I thought his voice would be deep, loud, and with a bit of grit. But his prized eye-wear is definitely more fitting now.

[@Goldrunner1169]

For some dumb reason I thought it would sound like the guy who played him in the Theodore Roosevelt vs Winston Churchill rap battle.

[@memecliparchives2254]

@@Goldrunner1169 Or had a voice as deep as Putin.

[@m3rl707]

He speaks like some majestic wizard

[@vantageszn]

I thought he'd have a deep voice too but we think tis because we tie having a deep voice and machoness together. The mentality the deeper the voice, the more manly you are

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

Taft sounds like a bro. Like, a homie.

[@ompatel9057]

For tho

[@pjhoody]

His accent was the first modern sounding one to me

[@chaosincarnate380]

Taft sounds like a regular guy. I want to vote for him after hearing him talk. Underrated president.

[@emmanuellawyer8562]

He would have won reelection if teddy kept his pride in check

[@emmanuellawyer8562]

@Kian Snider roosevelt didn't like how conservative Taft was as president

[@kev2thakos]

What a stupid reason to vote for someone

[@emmanuellawyer8562]

@Ian Salyer he would have won reelected if it wasn't for teddy

[@memecliparchives2254]

@@emmanuellawyer8562 Well before that they got along, as Teddy planned to have Taft as his successor as president. Then Taft got too conservative for Teddy's taste did the latter attempted to run for President again. Seriously though, either Teddy or Taft would be better than Woodrow Wilson. From national security to world peace.

[@tombreon]

I just find it hard to believe anyone was able to catch Coolidge's voice.

[@bigmoniesponge]

Same

[@dictatorofcanada4238]

I think he was known as a good speaker despite his “Silent Cal” reputation.

[@tombreon]

@@dictatorofcanada4238 Oh yes, his speeches are gold.

[@falsedavidbowie368]

Taft’s voice surprised me. I expected him to have this grand, old 19th century-styled voice, so I was caught off guard when I heard his down-to-earth 20th century affect.

[@Eazy-ERyder]

As it turned out, Cleveland never did a recording. From what I've researched, President Hayes DID do a recording, but like so MANY archives and photos in that era, it didn't survive. Benjamin Harrison is confirmed to be the earliest president whose voice can still be heard today. Lincoln is the ONE voice I wish I could have heard, but his oft described "squeaky" higher tone was captured VERY accurately by Daniel Day Lewis.

[@TheTwenty42]

All of them except Taft had that sort of old money, slightly British affect. Taft's dialect was a lot more relaxed and modern-sounding. This is kinda surprising, given that Taft looks pretty stuffy in his photos.

[@stevefyfe1018]

Interestingly Taft just sounds so...relaxed? Or maybe casual? Definitely wildly different from just about everybody else in the video.

[@stevefyfe1018]

He sounds like Howard Johnson from Blazing Saddles when he delivers the speech to welcome Bart

[@tristangray8046]

he sounds how id expect him to

[@cypriotmappers5342]

Harding to me sounds half asleep

[@caesarplaysgames]

I’m not sure how to explain it but Taft’s voice sounds so modern to me. He sounds like a news anchor from the 1960s.

[@samuelstephen8147]

Like Walter Cronkite.

[@niceparker8401]

My favorite KZbin history channel

[@allys744]

Theodore’s voice was the most surprising thing to me. History has portrayed Teddy as a grade A alpha male. He often hunted, he would challenge people to have boxing matches, he didn’t flinch when he was shot during a speech and carried on until he was done, he was an anatomist and seemed like quite a character. You would expect him to have a booming voice, but it’s quite pleasantly surprising to hear him speak in such a gentle, soft spoken manner.

[@evelynriedel2334]

There is another recording of his that was so high-pitched that I was shocked. This sounds more natural, and I think this is a more accurate representation of his voice, fortunately

[@marcusmedlock847]

Totally with you. All the history I’ve read on TR, say that he was a man’s man. A distinct presence about him anywhere he went. Getting shot and speaking for almost 90 minutes afterward. I expected his voice to just about blow you off your feet, but neat to hear him speaking in a such a distinguished and mellow manner. His quote about speaking softly and carrying a big stick resonates a lot more with me now.

[@dravendfr]

No, you’re spot on, “Sniveling Weasel” is an apt descriptor of Woodrow Wilson, and his voice.

[@justinw29]

It's interesting when you think about it it shows the accent evolution in this country and fun fact Ruthford Hayes had his voice recorded but unfortunately it was lot in time.

[@cactitiger]

Was it when or after he was president?

[@justinw29]

@@cactitiger it was early in his term in 1877 but Thomas Edison

[@RandolfLycan]

Did anyone say what his voice sounded like?

[@justinw29]

@@RandolfLycan I looked it up and I can't find anything but the recording is confirmed to exist and was the wax cylinder like Harrison

[@RandolfLycan]

@@justinw29 yeah I looked all over the place too because I actually dressed up as him for Halloween one year 😆

[@Gravelgratious]

Whenever I see Taft I want to give him a big hug.

[@Robalexe]

Taft is one of the most likable people to be president

[@jaycuthbert245]

He looks eager to demolish a lavish 6 course meal too

[@boopdino8053]

He also really deserved it

[@theautisticcomedian]

To bad Teddy screwed over him and his campaign letting that weasel Wilson win.

[@Lornharding]

i'm not supprised that Taft wanted the end of wars..... when you see dead or results you actually want the end of it. i think Eisonhower was the one that said '' the soldiers are the ones wanting peace above all'' or something in that way of thought

[@MinecraftMasterNo1]

He only wanted peace in the Cold War sense as in no big conflicts that cost too many lives. He had no issue bullying smaller nations with might. Look at Nicaragua for example.

[@scottbivins4758]

Eisenhower also warned us about the military industrial complex. That wants wars. I don't want wars unless it's necessary. Hell I don't want to go die in a war unless it's necessary

[@lovelyhatter]

Your reaction to Woodrow Wilson's voice is justified. He sounds just as evil as he was.

[@brandonk.4864]

People give Wilson too much of a bad rap. He was bad, but not the evil villain people make him out to be

[@beasting678]

@@brandonk.4864 he is evil

[@itz_ex0_279]

Personally I think he was easily one of our worst presidents

[@louismayes777]

Wilson + IRS= Evil

[@mike04574]

@@itz_ex0_279 but evil?

[@weldin]

Amazing to think that an audio recording of Otto von Bismarck-a man born before the Battle of Waterloo-still exists

[@whensomethingcriesagain]

One of Helmuth von Moltke, a man born in 1800, still exists

[@isaacpunch9295]

My respect for Taft jumped up watching this video.

[@Robalexe]

Respect for Taft jumps in general with everything one learns further about him

[@desmondfreeman8419]

Brilliant stuff!! Personally I would love a part 2 on this, it was be a nice insight on your thoughts about the other POTUS as I am from the UK and we are taught very little of American history, keep up the good work mate!

[@georgeince4136]

Great job I thought that most of them were pretty close to what I thought. The tape of T.R. was much better than many other tapes of his voice.

[@Yora21]

Right when I heard Taft talking, I was thinking that this is the first one that sounds like a regular speaking voice. I really know very little about American accents, but I was also immediately thinking of people from the 50s as well.

[@theiconicprodigy1736]

I thought that too, he sounded very modern.

[@carterholmbo8550]

I found Taft's speech to be rather good from a modern standpoint and sad in context of the next decades that would bring untold horrors of war like WW1 and WW2.

[@christiangamer1752]

I know that the audio from the Hindenburg broadcast was distorted and the guy who says "Oh, the humanity!" actually has a deeper voice. I wonder if a lot of these earlier presidents also had distorted voices in these recordings. I always liked to picture Teddy Roosevelt sounding buff, befitting his rough and tough character.

[@gamelandmaster3680]

I heard a recording of Otto Von Bismarck, and for all of this toughness and genius, he sounded similar to Patton. You could hear the more high pitched voice in the way he speaks. This video was fascinating to watch though, I am always interested in hearing the voices that I study, it gives you the ability to hear what they said and how they said it when you go back to read the historical records.

[@Yora21]

Bismarck was from an area not far from where I live. Got to try hunt that down and hear how people spoke 150 years ago.

[@oliverbarrow1721]

Is it possible that you could do a video on the Roman Empire? Loving the videos, keep up the good work!

[@willdavey1565]

I’m from Australia and watched a video similar to this with Australian prime ministers voices. Fascinating how our 10th prime minister Joe Lyons sounds like an everyday typical Aussie while some other prime ministers sounded more formal.

[@jordancollins444]

Danial Dey Lewis is the voice of Abraham Lincoln, im convinced

[@TrekBeatTK]

I played TR in a local production of Newsies and studied these recordings to pattern my speech after.

[@nathanieldavis1671]

Wilson does sound like an evil professor

[@Charles-js3ri]

Wilson does sound like a wicked person.

[@trafficality]

The McKinley studio albums are okay, they tended to add weird noises. The live albums the microphone on the drums wasn't ever set right. But the reaction when McKinley went crowd surfing was worth the price of admission.

[@timrobinson7373]

These are great to listen to for historical purpose. As for Cleveland I know he had the mouth cancer and had a secret operation that he survived. Wonder if that effected his voice any or he just did not want to make any recordings for history

[@nicksquatch7212]

I didn't expect TR's voice to be that high pitched!

[@mattmirelez5121]

I'm right there with you on Wilson he sounds exactly like I thought he would

[@Mindy14]

Taft sounds to me like he is speaking more in his real voice and less of the bolstering speech voice.

[@chrisigoeb]

I love this very cool. And i too really despise Wilson. Theres also a voice recording of Bismarck if you wanna check it out

[@Napo88]

Can you do a video on Woodrow Wilson? I have heard you mention your dislike of him before but other than the few statements I've heard you make, plus the few things I've heard that I believe most people have heard, I don't know much about the man. Would love to know more about him and why your feelings about him are as strong as they are.

[@Birb728]

I suggest you watch 'cynical historian' series on Woodrow Wilson

[@Napo88]

@@Birb728 Thanks for the suggestion, I just finished watching both parts. I also recommend it if people want to learn more about Wilson. I would love to see a VTH reaction to the video.

[@memecliparchives2254]

@@Birb728 Can't wait for a reaction of those videos 😏

[@dannysollecito4909]

3 new videos are now up the last couple of days on this channel! check them out

[@benjaminZ20]

Wow thats awesome... Man we've come so far as a nation, i hope we can keep things goin and not fall apart

[@myaoconnell514]

this video is so freaking cool!! it gave me chills hearing theodore roosevelt

[@sj49770]

For some reason I was surprised many years ago when I first heard McKinley, that he has an identifiable Irish accent.

[@pascal9527]

Double upload days are my favorite days

[@williampennjr.4448]

Fillmore actually did look like Alec Baldwin. I was thinking the same thing Benjamin Harris looked like the architect from the Matrix and Grover Cleveland looked like the Quaker Oats guy (Wilford Brimley)

[@chandlersampson]

Wow. I didn't know these existed. Thanks for sharing and I've subscribed!

[@frshunter]

Very cool to hear this. Looking forward to see you at Chickamauga!

[@atomicspid2129]

I think Rutherford B. Hayes had a voice recording but it got lost. Would be interesting to hear what presidents Washington through Cleveland sounded like.

[@loufancelli1330]

@Conner Wine I'm not so sure about that. I read somewhere that Britains in the 1600s-1700s sounded more like Americans, and it was the British, not the Americans, whose speech/accent changed over time. So British people today sound less like British people from 300-400 years ago than today's Americans.

[@WhatsIQ]

I looked up theodore roosevelt's voice a while back and I expected him to have so much more of a deep voice

[@dictatorofcanada4238]

“Speak softly and carry a big stick”

[@paulspears715]

Yes, me too,, kind of like Patton

[@LavenderDoll002]

I laughed so hard I cried when VTH called Wilson a sniveling weasel at 9:36

[@battlefronthero3789]

The second Wilson started to speak I thought the same thing Sir

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

Kind of funny that Harding gets so much flak, since the "say you want to cut spending, but actually give lots of public money to your friends" platform has been incredibly popular for decades now, if it hasn't always been.

[@99EKjohn]

He and VP Coolidge saved us from a crash worse than the 1929 crash that lead to the great depression. He's definitely underrated.

[@braytechexoscience2790]

@@99EKjohn I don't think he's underrated, but I do think he's overhated, if that makes sense? Coolidge is definitely underrated, though

[@Robalexe]

@@99EKjohn That's true, the US had a bit of a recession at the end of Wilson's tenure, and Harding and Coolidge helped stop it over the next few years. While still not a good president, Harding is nowhere near the worst like so many 20th century historian rankings would suggest. He's "just" a D tier one imo.

[@atadbitahistory9660]

"I shouldn't call him Teddy, he hated that". Funnily enough, that's the same reason I call him Teddy Bear.

[@drrakw2432]

Two uploads in one day, nice! Thanks for posting, twice!

[@032319581]

Amazing! Harrison's voice was continental sounding.

[@wendelldallas7572]

Woodrow Wilson totally sounds like a James Bond villain.

[@aaronleib745]

I always tell people if you went back in time and meet my great grandpa(born 1899) and ask him at age 5 what a jet airplane is he would confuse and probably accuse you of witch craft. Lol But he saw all of that come to a reality. I was 6 when he died in 2000, only a few months away from 101 birthday.

[@oldfogey4679]

Aaron I was thinking about how much I've lived through too! The sixties with the moon landing late fifties when Hawaii Alaska became states! The advent of the microwave oven etc! My world I grew up in is long gone!so I understand how ur grandpa must have felt!

[@kfizz21]

When I hear Taft I immediately think of Burl Ives for some reason.

[@kerimtim]

Woodrow Wilson's voice is so calming and soft again

[@Charles-js3ri]

It's amazing, because the topic of the recording is so irrelevant to anything, that makes it almost cooler. One of the first uses of that emerging tech was just used kinda casually. Especially when you consider how recording will massively impact future presidents. Nixon and LBJ come to mind.

[@francocontreras9093]

You should react to Huey Long’s barbecue speech. He’s a really interesting political figure, especially in Louisiana. The speech is also not different from the speeches you may hear some politicians make today. Plus it’s really humorous at times.

[@theautisticcomedian]

That guy was a friggin' socialist dictator. Good thing he was assassinated.

[@johnomirth]

Heard a recording of McKinley's first VP, Garrett Hobart, from 1899, giving a speech via long distance telephone from DC to a convention of electrical engineers in NYC. He had a beautiful speaking voice. Could've been a radio announcer in a later time! 😂.

[@jacks1917]

I believe there was supoosedly a recording of President Hayes's voice but it was unfortunatly lost

[@jamesturner9651]

I'm surprised how "normal" Taft sounds. He doesn't have that posh polished accent many of the others had.

[@HistoryNerd808]

He sounds like a guy you'd want to go have a beer with. Just a regular guy

[@jamesturner9651]

@@HistoryNerd808 Right? I was really surprised. I'm actually a large fan of Taft's and the predominant reason is him being the first Governor General of the Philippines. The man had quite the life.

[@richeybaumann1755]

Wilson definitely sounds more like an evil villain than the others. He's slightly nasal and that's what makes it. Definitely a giveaway for how his presidency would go.

[@hiramlewis3873]

Yes, Taft does sound like Ike. Truman was more of a plain speaker but I get a hint of Ike

[@KnallenN]

It'd be really cool if you did some videos on the swedish empire. There are some great videos on it, and also Sabaton has an entire album on it. Really interesting in my opinion! :)

[@fifty9forty3]

I couldn't help notice Wilson was wearing an old style (not for those times) "crimp" at the nose bridge eye glasses. Notice there are no "temples" running from the lenses to the ears. They were held in place by crimping at the bridge. It is Taft's emphasis on certain words coupled with the tone of voice that is similar to Eisenhower.

[@emsmith3316]

Youre 100% right about Wilsons voice. I thought the same thing before you said anything lol. I was actually surprised by Tafts voice. It sounded completely different than i expected. I thought his voice would've been deeper. Either way it was pleasant to listen to.

[@michaelaburns734]

Early audio of the presidents is really cool.

[@johnmanier9047]

When McKinley stopped in his speech I thought I heard music…that must have been a commercial break

[@stanleyrogouski]

The interesting thing is that none of them have the classic Hollywood "Mid Atlantic Accent," which you might expect from a member of the Ivy League elite like Wilson or Teddy Roosevelt. All of them actually have the same theatrical quality you hear in the parody character "Johnny Reb" from Atun-Shei Films.

[@garybrown2592]

I have heard that recording of Cleveland AND that of Bryan. You would never mistake one for the other.

[@rs91268]

Awesome video sir

[@jenniferhedlund2713]

I think remember, Taft was from southern ohio. Southern ohio and northern ohio ( especially Cleveland area and Cincinnati area) are very different places and there is a difference in speech

[@birdwife589]

I really like taft’s voice :)

[@Brantlins]

If only there was a secret society of impressionists throughout history that could spot on impersonations of historical figures.

[@sapun_dealer2076]

Fun fact in Albania Woodrow Wilson, is one of the most celebrated US presidents, as he was one of the only leaders from the great powers who spoke up for Albania and prevented Albania from being torn up by its neighbours and Italy.

[@CJ87317]

I think you're feeling about Wilson's voice is affecting how you hear it. He was actually known as a very gifted public speaker and with his voice talked about as melodious during his lifetime. I kinda find it to be pleasing to listen to myself. Taft and Ike really DO sound like each other.

[@arnihelgigunnlaugsson4916]

Really would be fun to be able to hear Lincoln´s voice...

[@loficat4993]

I ways heard Lincoln's voice was described as a soft speaker, is that true? He always seemed like an imposing person

[@HistoryNerd808]

@Conner Wine There isn't a sound recording of him but he was described by those who heard him speak and wrote about it as having a high-pitched, very reedy voice.

[@NebulusDerg]

Harrison speaks Horses: "Imma mess this up so you can't hear"

[@williamowsley9771]

I had never heard Taft before, but my reaction was just like yours... he sounds like Ike.

[@ericveneto1593]

The Cynical Historian will be pleased to hear you're not a Wilson fan.

[@jameswood6669]

It's strange how their voices changed from the formal sounding accent across time.

[@mats7492]

Ted Roosevelt was just as badass as I thought he was

[@kennym.4664]

Do we know when President Harrison made that recording? He says "As president, I was present at ...", which sounds like this was recorded after he'd left office.

[@jacobtuttle6063]

I still quote Rough Riders to this day! What a great series!

[@hiramlewis3873]

Teddy sounds a lot like Franklin Roosevelt and I am quite shocked at WH Taft Sounding so much like Ike.

[@jacks1917]

Fun fact : Harrison was the first president to have electricity in the White House (also funny to not that that means Cleveland had it in his 2nd term but not his first)

[@thepokesannin4434]

I remember learning as a kid that he and his wife were too afraid to touch the switches haha

[@squarevenus0864]

I just watched this a couple of hours ago. Glad we have the same taste

[@Cessated]

I did NOT expect Theodore to sound like that.

[@rjjone2853]

Woodrow sounds like a villain off the radio

[@Savannah_Simpson]

It’s weird, Taft sounds a lot like my late Grandfather, seriously uncanny. Also yeah you could seriously voice over a 1920s cartoon villain with the Wilson audio and it would not sound out of place.

[@UnconditionalSurrenderG]

The “cheers”? in the background of the McKinley recording sound scary af

[@bigrednado4341]

Lol I would roll on the floor if Calvin Coolidge’s speech is just silence with the occasional hum

[@jakubpociecha8819]

"You loose" -Calvin Coolidge

[@jdub8419]

It amazes me , how much Taft sounds like a modern President. .

[@Pingthescribe]

Taft sounds like a newscaster, did not at all expect him to sound like that.

[@jakubpociecha8819]

Yeah he sounds like a 50's/60's news reporter