Phonograph
['fəʊnəgrɑːf] or ['fonəɡræf]
Definition
(n.) A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography.
(n.) An instrument for the mechanical registration and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech, etc. It consists of a rotating cylinder or disk covered with some material easily indented, as tinfoil, wax, paraffin, etc., above which is a thin plate carrying a stylus. As the plate vibrates under the influence of a sound, the stylus makes minute indentations or undulations in the soft material, and these, when the cylinder or disk is again turned, set the plate in vibration, and reproduce the sound.
Checked by Gardner
Definition
n. a character or mark used to represent a sound (also Phō′nogram): an instrument by which spoken words or other sounds can be recorded and afterwards given out again almost in the original tones.—ns. Phonog′rapher Phonog′raphist one versed in phonography.—adjs. Phonograph′ic -al.—adv. Phonograph′ically.—ns. Phonog′raphy the art of representing each spoken sound by a distinct character: phonetic shorthand; Phō′nōscope an apparatus for recording music as played or for testing musical strings: a microphone.
Typist: Paul
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. An irritating toy that restores life to dead noises.
Checker: Newman
Examples
- The difference between a phonograph and the human voice is that the phonograph must sing the song which is stamped upon it. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Some of Edison's most remarkable inventions are revealed in a number of interesting patents relating to the duplication of phonograph records. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Probably the largest use of the phonograph or graphophone is for home amusement and exhibition purpose. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- From the late summer of 1878 and to the fall of 1887 Edison was intensely busy on the electric light, electric railway, and other problems, and virtually gave no attention to the phonograph. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The phonograph was now fairly launched as a world sensation, and a reference to the newspapers of 1878 will show the extent to which it and Edison were themes of universal discussion. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Although twenty-one years of age, and of full growth, the phonograph is ever a wonderfully new and impressive device. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- How do you like the phonograph? Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The invention of the phonograph by Edison in 1878 marked a new era in the popularity and dissemination of music. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Such was the general type of phonograph used for exhibition purposes in America and other countries in the three or four years immediately succeeding the date of this invention. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- But if they had always done so there would have been no telegraph, no telephone, no electric light, no phonograph. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The important changes made from that time up to 1890 converted the phonograph from a scientific toy into a successful industrial apparatus. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The invention of the phonograph has brought music to thousands of homes possessed of neither wealth nor skill. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- After I moved to Menlo Park, I was very busy with the telephone and phonograph, and I paid no attention to this little arrangement. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- We must not forget that the basic patent of Edison on the phonograph has long since expired, thus throwing open to the world the wonderful art of reproducing human speech and other sounds. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The form of the first phonograph is shown in Fig. 189. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The obvious novelties of machinery and locomotion, phonographs and yellow journalism slake the American thirst for creation pretty thoroughly. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- His phonographs and his motion pictures have more audiences in a week than all the theatres in America in a year. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- At the present time the annual sales of the business phonographs and supplies, cylinders, etc. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Improved factory facilities were introduced; new tools were made, and various types of machines were designed so that phonographs can now be bought at prices ranging from $10 to $200. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It is not to be understood, however, that the graphophone is the only speaking machine on the market, for about 250 patents have been granted on phonographs and graphophones. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- After a year or so, Bergmann got enough money to start a small shop in Wooster Street, New York, and it was at this shop that the first phonographs were made for sale. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
Checker: Raffles