Soundscapes Project 2: The Edison-Style Phonograph
My goal was to recreate Edison's phonograph using more everyday materials.
This was a big case of trial and error, finding out what worked and what didn't. And thus far, it has taken me three tries, and this third try I am still trying to improve on to get an actual recording.
The basic idea was to take a funnel, and attach it to some sort of a diaphragm for the speaker. Then attaching a needle to that in order to get the recording out. The next step was to have a cyinder to record on, with a hand crank in order to turn. And lastly, a base to contain it all.
First try materials: cardboard, wooden dowels, plastic cylinder dipped in paraffin wax, aluminum can, metal funnel, needle, hot glue, exacto knife, hacksaw, pliers, and a hammer.
Second try: All the same materials, minus the wax cylinder substituted by a plastic cup.
Third try: Same materials as the third, minus the metal funnel and aluminum can substituted by a bigger plastic funnel and a plastic cylinder, and some aluminum disposable bakeware, small aluminum block, screws, and a drill.
The Problems
The first problem I came across was the wax cylinder. The wax was so soft that it was difficult to make it perfectly round. It also melted in the heat of my car. The needle would also take off layers of the wax when trying to record.
A plastic cup made for a much better alternative the second and third time around. It was a stronger material, and maintained the needle etchings.
The weight of the metal funnel also caused the mechanics of the phonograph to be weighed down. The simple cardboard structure just couldn't support it, so it made the switch to plastic.
Another batch of problems with the first and second try came from the lack of a diaphragm. There was no way for the sound to make the needle vibrate because I had the needle directly attached to the aluminum can and the end of the metal funnel's hose.
I got that worked out finally on the third try by using aluminum bakeware to create a membrane to cover the diaphragm.
And finally I could feel the needle vibrate at the end of the funnel!
I am still working on creating a little fulcrum type piece to help the needle move in a single direction for lateral recording. I'm taking a piece of aluminum and filing it into shape, and attaching the needles with screws to keep them in place. I'm still on my way to getting an actual recording, it took Edison several years...this is my first semester.