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Hear music recorded in 1860

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:00 am
by nitrah55
Researchers have found what is called a "phonoautograph" made in 1860. It was a graphic representation of the sound waves made when a woman sang the first 11 notes of "Au Clair de Lune." It was never intended to be played back, just used for the study of sound waves.

Scientists de-ciphered the wave pattern, and the attached story has a link where you can hear the song sung 148 years ago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/arts/27soun.html?hp

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:03 am
by JJ Cale
I think all my records were made on the phonoautograph. Must be why I never hit the big time. Thank God Fanny owned one of those things....

I think I wrote that song too... I smell royalties!

Re: Hear music recorded in 1860

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:14 am
by silvercamaro
nitrah55 wrote:Researchers have found what is called a "phonoautograph" made in 1860. It was a graphic representation of the sound waves made when a woman sang the first 11 notes of "Au Clair de Lune."
Oh, good. Now, if I'm ever on American Idol and have to sing a song from the year of my birth, I know the song to select!

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:15 am
by starfish1113
I really expected this to be a joke.

Very fascinating!

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:23 am
by trevor_macfee
Very cool - thanks for posting the link!

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:59 pm
by ghostjmf
Been on NPR all day, but thanks for the link.

Way to go Scott! (The French inventor, as the American decipherists familiarly refer to him).