- Introduction to Gramophone
- Early form of loudspeakers or radio.
- Owning a gramophone was once a status symbol.
- People were curious about watching and hearing records play.
- Phonograph Invention
- Invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison.
- Known today as a gramophone or record player.
- Records sound for playback.
- Purpose and Use of Gramophone
- Initially intended for entertainment through recorded music.
- Played vinyl records, a primary source of enjoyment.
- Mechanics of Gramophone
- Sound read by a needle moving within grooves on a record.
- The needle produces mechanical waves that generate sound.
- Structure of Gramophone Record
- Record is a flat plastic disc with a spiral groove.
- Played with a phonograph needle that produces sound by touching the groove.
- Commercialization
- Berliner began commercial production of disc records in 1892.
- Gramophone records became accessible to the public.
- Indian Gramophone Production
- Gramophone Company Ltd. established a factory in Kolkata by 1907.
- First Indian branch founded in 1901; Dum Dum factory established in 1928.
- Etymology of ‘Gramophone’
- Derived from Greek: “gramo” meaning letter, “phone” meaning sound.
- Technological Advancements and Replacement
- Popular until World War II; replaced by radio and electric record players.
- By the 1960s, replaced by 8-track cartridges and cassette tapes.
- Phonographs declined by 1987 due to cassette and CD popularity.
- Record resurgence began in the late 2000s.
- Gramophone Components and Functioning
- Includes a turntable, needle, horn, and disc/cylinder.
- Needle vibrations create sound, amplified through a diaphragm and horn.
- Early Recordings and Edison’s Version
- Edison’s 1887 invention used tinfoil-covered cylinders.
- Emile Berliner developed a disc-based system.
- Mass Production and Cultural Impact
- Berliner’s system allowed mass production of sound recordings.
- Influenced pop song length due to 3-minute recording limit.
- Technological Evolution
- Progressed from vinyl to magnetic tape, CDs, and digital recordings.
- Digital sound files (e.g., MP3) easily shareable online.
- Modern Streaming and Vinyl Revival
- Streaming made music accessible without physical copies.
- Vinyl records revived among DJs and music enthusiasts.
- Modern turntables feature digital outputs for better sound and integration.
This outline captures the evolution and significance of the gramophone from its inception to its impact on modern music and listening technologies.
