Tools & Technology
Distilled #12: Edison’s Record Player
Dreams of turning a wax cylinder into a “talking book.”
February 18, 2020
When Thomas Edison started working on his wax cylinder phonograph in the late 19th century, music was not the first thing on his mind. He was more interested in his invention’s applications for stenography, elocution lessons, and audio books. In fact, he thought a “talking book” could help people who were visually impaired and maybe even replace braille.
