A Homemade Edison Tinfoil Phonograph

Andrew R. McNeese, Jason D. Sagers, Richard D. Lenhart, and Preston S. Wilson of The University of Texas at Austin present a homemade reproduction of Thomas Edison's tinfoil phonograph.

[@vintageitems9847]

Talks calmly and comfortably during whole video. 2:30 MaRY HAd A LiTTle LamB WhOs FLeEce WAS wHiTe As SnoW

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

Hopefully you understand why he had to yell into it. Though he definitely over did it I think 😂

[@joerionis5902]

@@therestorationofdrwho1865 Maybe he should've said that he needed to shout into it first

[@TheGringoLoco]

What I can't figure out is.....how in the hell did Thomas Edison KNOW that something like this would even work the way it did, 130-some years ago? Nothing like that had ever been dreamed-up prior to that. That's some SERIOUS "thinking outside the box", right there.....impressive.

[@Spacekriek]

J.P., I fully agree with you. Today we take our technology virtually for granted and we consider the cylinder recorder as something primitive. It's almost a sad thing that it took so long for someone to come along and realize that the vibration of a needle could leave a record on a moving surface and that it could be played back again. We can speculate that the basic principle could have been applied centuries earlier, maybe as far back as the 14th or 15th century.. imagine listening now to the voice of Leonardo da Vinci, for instance.

[@merman93]

J. P. The issue is that children today have their curiosity numbed, by adults responding to questions with "no, you can't do that, or, that's not the way to do that" etc. When Edison was growing up, it was all new, there were no limitations on his thought, and his ideas were allowed to incubate, and develop into such great products. We need to encourage children, teens, and even adults, to forget about barriers, and align our imagination, with our creative abilities, and learned skill sets, and be leaders, not followers.

[@DerillPlays]

Its horrifying too

[@Crazytesseract]

It is due to Edison's efforts, in thinking and thinking, and a bit of inspiration within from an unknown source (Paramatma, or God!). It was not accidental.

[@yasmeenbano3999]

@@merman93 people may discourage but they can never stop anyone to turn their imagination into reality.We all must keep on thinking outside the box no matter what happens. Fighting!

[@codeoptimizationware2803]

Someone give those well-educated young men an A+ each! Awesomely excellent work! Amazing, man!

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

OF COURSE! :) THEY HAVE SURELY GOT AN A+! :)

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Seems like we never needed to move to lasers after hearing this. LOL

[@melikekecelioglu6883]

Actually every item, technological devices have developed based on basic physic and mathematical theories and laws. If you understand these, u understand the universe. Thank you for video 💙

[@elysisryme2735]

can somebody make this a meme???

[@kachbltv8742]

The voice is added on the video Layer...!

[@nothingisreal6816]

Why?

[@nothingisreal6816]

@@kachbltv8742 What?

[@chickeneaterofficial2889]

youre thinking straight

[@FarhanAmin1994]

Thank you for this simple, no-nonsense, to-the-point, informative video. You guys rock!

[@abc978abc]

It's such a great research and thank you for your efforts and contributions. many people would recall the one hundred years ago Thomas edison first invention. great work mate ;).

[@techguy9023]

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village has Edison’s labs that were moved there and re-assembled. I believe there was different stylus or needles for recording and playback to not destroy the recording.

[@Supermike6]

Brings a whole new meaning of anything that has to do with "potato."

[@joeyzuber117]

I gotta say I love it. The sound is terrible, but it must be satisfying to build it and record on it! Good job.

[@weinermanmanweiner]

wow very informative and entertaning

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

true

[@moonrisehowler1842]

true

[@Realswagoverlord]

2;43 nice singing Also this was amazing! you made my mum squeal!

[@jmedlarec4824]

I think he had to scream so the speech could be heard clearly. So that’s what I think.

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

It's because diaphragms in devices like this are a bit stiff so they don't vibrate much. It's also because the opening of the horn is far from the diaphragm and needle (stylus) so he had to shout for the sound to reach the diaphragm while still being very clear.

[@toonman361]

I saw another video that suggested a shorter horn to speak in so the air pressure of the voice would have less distance and volume to occupy, moving the diaphragm with more force. This would theoretically produce amore detailed audio recording. Playback would be with a large horn for more amplification and richer tones. Just a suggestion. I'm not an audiologist.

[@DerillPlays]

ITS VERY COOL! YET COMPLICATED!

[@gregjpcormier550]

Absolutely incredible

[@billplant23]

That is good work indeed. Is there any information out there on how to build a DIY reproducer?

[@100chuckjones]

2:30 sounds like Crazy Steve from Drake and Josh :-)

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

what?

[@100chuckjones]

@@stephenaviaspace5056 never seen drake and josh before ? Crazy steve.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKCnf5p4q9OXgck

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

@@100chuckjones ?????

[@joelh3030]

You mean spencer?

[@jin1205]

I remember learning about this in highschool. Nowadays, I am more interested in what led Edison to give that a try, if he was improving on former trials by others, how he went about improving it, and the development process that led to the final product, i.e. the vinyl. If anyone has any sources, please direct me to it.

[@Pink_Floyd-ll8lq]

Swear they were being held at gunpoint to do this lmao Didn’t crack one smile not even when shouting Mary had a little lamb

[@user-bj5vm7pj6q]

n e r d s

[@justcurious1940]

Amazing.

[@jojostar96]

If the black metal album ain’t recorded on this, I don’t wanna hear it

[@emanyousef1993]

Great video. Thank you but I need more details to make this invention at home with my kids.

[@anukanisetti]

It doesn't works

[@the_brick_bali9956]

why does this have meme potential

[@500features]

and yet it has been 11 years

[@merman93]

Nice job. I'm interested in the stylus used in the diaphragm, I've seen sewing needles placed in a hollow tube, and even needles without the tube.

[@courseychristopher_art]

just a neumatic analogy piece? air moves it? the needle

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

@@courseychristopher_art Air vibrates the diaphragm then the vibration goes to the needle which vibrates it in a unique pattern which etches the foil with the same pattern.

[@buzzz241]

Yes. That seems to be the heart 💜 of the whole system!

[@vicentegalle9529]

Very nice video!

[@ConcreteBombDeep]

How does foil compare to wax as a recording medium?

[@muralidharan6755]

An invention which came to save and store voices of great people. Now we have recorded shits of saying "3+1=4.... Multiple times "

[@japanlife_with_alfredo]

Excellent!

[@Dillinify]

Actually, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville created a machine that recorded sound onto paper in 1857

[@PuffyRainbowCloud]

db Yes, but there was no way to play it back. He was more interested in sound waves and if it was possible to see them.

[@nothingisreal6816]

@@PuffyRainbowCloud I'm sure you already know it but, in case you don't, scientists have been able to play some of the engravings back!

[@PuffyRainbowCloud]

@@nothingisreal6816 I am aware! It’s fascinating and from a technological aspect a cool project. Of course, it’s not exactly audiophile quality. Still, I doubt he imagined that a century and a half later people would hear his voice thanks to his experiments.

[@nothingisreal6816]

@@PuffyRainbowCloud True, it's truly amazing how far we've come. And, as someone else said, this same principle could've been applied centuries ago. Imagine being able to hear Da Vinci's voice or original Mozart recordings

[@stefanleo8963]

Love this!

[@uncled39]

Edison was a wizard.

[@charanckck]

Thanks for uploading!

[@camfg8908]

Hmm, could you possibly use some other recording material than tin? And how would that affect the process and the quality?

[@ruutiperse9223]

Wax cylinders were most commonly used i think.

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

@@ruutiperse9223 Wax cylinders are better quality I think. But wax cylinders can't be played in these devices.

[@naser_eddin_ahmad]

Stunning

[@rajeshdeokule109]

Amazing work ❤❤❤❤❤from india

[@Dog.soldier1950]

These 2 nerds are now 2021 billionaires

[@tdgtto]

I want one of these

[@treile9]

Wonderful, thanks!!

[@courseychristopher_art]

if the speed at which the recording was made and the play back were the same then the track may sound better perhaps. slower or faster playback spinning of the mandril will effect sound quality. I love this post though and appreciate it.

[@michaelkern1719]

I’m gonna build a gnome meme version of this and give it to my friend for his birthday

[@scottyee2479]

How does it turn out ?

[@jackmohrhardt8448]

"swing the arm back rewind the track and play it back"

[@dcamron46]

I’m interested in the energy and thermodynamics of this. Information entropy “stored”on the card, the kinetic energy of the crank and acoustic vibrations…what’s the breakdown here?!

[@alfalfa2155]

What is the reason for the groove on the mandril? (don't know if I'm spelling that right, I mean the cylinder that the tinfoil is wrapped around)

[@lakhanshahi3637]

Thanks for information.

[@ConcreteBombDeep]

Why is every homemade phonograph singing "Mary had a little lamb.." ?

[@Eeklex]

Because, by all accounts, that rhyme is what Edison used for his first successful recording.

[@mrchops4099]

Too cool!

[@rweerakkody4565]

I always attempted to make these babies, but theyd FAIL!!! how annoying then. but id have to have better parts. thanks for informing and posting this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@starbuono3333]

Wow !!!!

[@burakelibol6009]

This video is 12 years

[@pleps5]

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

[@iteratedofficial]

exactly what i was thinking...

[@KC9KEP]

Very cool, guys :-)

[@luthmarak2827]

Lol why you always use Mary for this kind of phonograph

[@Perakyeop]

Nice!!!

[@burakelibol6009]

Wow

[@uncled39]

What sort of foil are you using?

[@ramzi235]

amazing

[@calesaucer6999]

Can’t forget the foil oil…

[@91Tribual]

thats so cool!!!

[@johnnyscharfenberger4074]

Ok so I'm tryna figure out something about the tinfoil photographs, and that is why the counterweight on the other end of the rod? I can't seem to find the answer to this question anywhere on Google

[@notthatyouasked6656]

It acts as both a counterweight and a flywheel to make it easier and smoother to crank the crank.

[@michaelthrasher1521]

what parts I do have to get or make and instructions to make one or could you make one for me

[@Mikeytheparrot]

What is the mouth piece made of? I really want to make a replica like this one but I can't understand how to make the mouth piece...

[@RC-wm7cw]

I cant find anthing either...

[@glitchman6395]

wow!

[@Phono-fun]

Where did you get the grooved mandrel?

[@ichdieLivi]

I want one too

[@gustavotrevizo6957]

Can you connect a pair of earbuds...?😉 Good job !

[@1littleboy1]

Watttt this is cooooooool😎😎

[@SapphireEmperor]

Bro that was a old man comming out of that recording that didnt work.

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

WOW

[@eisei5347]

that's scary

[@muslimdogan196]

does it matter, if you use tin foil or aluminium foil?

[@MarvinClarence]

By George, it’s the same thing.

[@notthatyouasked6656]

@@MarvinClarence No, it's not. Aluminum foil is much softer than real tinfoil. Unfortunately, true tinfoil is now virtually impossible to get.

[@AvrahamYairStern]

Is that Lee Harvey Oswald?

[@kern5450]

Johnny Horton Classics this is the face Lee is making because you insulted him... www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS801US801&biw=414&bih=722&ei=EXNCXJ69MpCAk-4P5Oac8Ao&q=lee+oswald&gs_ssp=eJzj4tDP1TcwSS-vNGAEABAyAso&oq=lee&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.1.0.46i39i275j46i131j46i131i67j46j46i131.8066625.8067200..8068545...2.0..0.657.1097.2-2j5-1......0....1.......5..46i39j35i39j0j0i67.QuKa7lDOztM#imgrc=o2e3t-GtkhpmZM:

[@Oh-ou4lp]

didnt get how explane better

[@user-eb7jz2mh8r]

ممكن عنوان محل مبيع الكوبيهات؟!

[@zosimo538]

Jesus is coming back amen po

[@CyndiTT88]

no, that's TIN foil

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

Yes, it's not wax but it's the same principle as wax cylinder recorders and playback devices.

[@flapjack1266]

How dies the needle find the groove to play back though ?

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

The diaphragm below the horn pushes the needle through the tinfoil. Then it falls whenever it sees a groove, then it stays on the spiral groove forever. forever

[@samburch]

The diaphragm has a weight on it to keep the needle in contact with the markings left on the tin foil. As it brushes over the foil, the markings bump the needle up which in turn inhales / exhales on the diaphragm effectively playing the noise recorded back.

[@mrOga]

Where are these engineers now?

[@treile9]

Making more money and making much more interesting things than many commentators here.

[@MrPillowStudios]

You will become a wordpress head.

[@santiagocortez9554]

What is the material for the diaphragm

[@toonman361]

One video I saw suggested the plastic made for off road vehicle windows. Apparently it's the right thickness and pliable. The old name for this was Eisenglass.

[@Pizzalaser]

#analog

[@diego_9744]

酷欸

[@GiuseppeGibilmanno]

man really need to scream loud ?😂

[@stephenaviaspace5056]

THe opening of the horn is far from the diaphragm and needle so he has to scream to make it clear even though the sound waves traveled far

[@кефир01]

Да

[@user-eb7jz2mh8r]

منشان شو التعقيم

[@DerillPlays]

Revideo this

[@vintageitems9847]

what s the oil

[@_.Leo_.]

Cannabis oil

[@dannyflint5746]

Fat from his dead mother

[@vintageitems9847]

@@dannyflint5746 i like your idea better...

[@lowlightpiano7110]

Repent and trust in Jesus. we deserve Hell for our sins. For example lying, lusing, saying God's name as a cuss word and stealing our just some examples of sin which we can all admit to doing at least one of those. For our sin we deserve death and Hell, but there is a way out. Repent anf trust in Jesus and you will be saved. Repentence is turning from sin. So repent and trust in Jesus. He will save you from Hell, and instead give you eternal life in Heaven. John 3:16 Romans 3:23😊❤😊

[@67beppedoc]

the new invention !! kkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@williamchristopher1560]

Too bad you didn't make the SAME recording Edison ORIGIONALLY made. Edison loved dirty jokes, hearing and telling them. This is what he ORIGIONALLY recorded.Mary had a new sheath gownit was too short by halfWho gives a damn bout Marys lamb,once you have seen her calf

[@MarvinClarence]

Obviously not.

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

yeah having worked with the real 1877-1887 deal real tinfoil phonographs this thing is a piece of crap and the playback is edited in audio because it lacks room ambient sound (so, fake!?) the machine lacks the fine-tuning a real tinfoil has, also the person recording his voice is destroying his voice on this device a well-tuned tinfoil will record a raised voice perfectly something between speaking voice and being angry at the waiter's type of voice so, no over-hard hoarse shouting involved. I recorded about a 1000 tinfoil sheets in my life in 35 years well, enough to know this machine is paramount to shit on the wall!!!

[@fatitankeris6327]

Room ambient sound is low amplitude sound, probably not caught anyways because the lower end isn't recorded well.

[@uncled39]

It sounds awful

[@jonsubtil]

that in university???? my god, is a childrens job...!!!

[@MewxPro]

jonsubtil Like to see you make one then.

[@codeoptimizationware2803]

@ jonsubtil: If you think that's "childrens'" work, then you are dumber than a child, a whole hell of a lot dumber.