Gramophones: who invented and how do they work?

Spring-loaded and electric gramophones are still popular with connoisseurs of rare items. We will tell you how modern models with gramophone records work, who invented them and what to look for when choosing.

For a long time, mankind has sought to preserve information on material carriers. Finally, at the end of the 19th century, a device for recording and reproducing sounds appeared.

This device was independently invented by Charles Cros and Thomas Edison. It was extremely imperfect.

The information carrier was a tin foil cylinder, which was fixed on a wooden base. The sound track was recorded on the foil. Unfortunately, the playback quality was very low. And it could only be played once.

Thomas Edison intended to use the new device as audiobooks for blind people, a substitute for stenographers and even an alarm clock.... He did not think about listening to music.

Charles Cros did not find investors for his invention. But the work published by him led to further improvements in the design.

These early developments were followed by graphophone Alexander Graham Bell... Wax rollers were used to store the sound. On them, the recording could be erased and reused. But the sound quality was still low. And the price was high, since it was impossible to mass produce the novelty.

Finally, on September 26 (November 8), 1887, the first successful sound recording and reproduction system was patented. The inventor is a German immigrant working in Washington DC named Emil Berliner. This day is considered the birthday of the gramophone.

He presented the novelty at the Franklin Institute exhibition in Philadelphia.

The new device had serious advantages - the playback quality was much higher, the distortions were lower, and the sound volume increased 16 times (or 24 dB).

The world's first gramophone record was zinc. But soon more successful ebony and shellac options appeared.

Shellac is a natural resin. In a heated state, it is very plastic, which makes it possible to produce plates by stamping. At room temperature, this material is very strong and durable.

When making shellac, clay or other filler was added. It was used until the 1930s when it was gradually replaced by synthetic resins. Vinyl is now used to make records.

Emil Berliner in 1895 founded his own company for the production of gramophones - Berliner's Gramophone Company. The gramophone became widespread in 1902, after songs by Enrico Caruso and Nelly Melba were recorded on the disc.

The popularity of the new device was facilitated by the competent actions of its creator. First, he paid royalties to performers who recorded their songs on records. Secondly, he used a good logo for his company. It showed a dog sitting next to a gramophone.

The design was gradually improved. A spring engine was introduced, which eliminated the need to manually spin the gramophone.Johnson was its inventor.

A large number of gramophones were produced in the USSR and in the world, and everyone could purchase it. The cases of the most expensive specimens were made of pure silver and mahogany. But the price was also appropriate.

The gramophone remained popular until the 1980s. Then it was supplanted by reel-to-reel and cassette recorders. But until now, antique copies are subject to the status of the owner.

In addition, he has his fans. These people reasonably believe that analog sound from a vinyl record is more voluminous and rich than digital sound from a modern smartphone. Therefore, records are still being produced, and their production is even increasing.

The gramophone consists of several nodes that are independent of each other.

Its task is to convert the energy of the spring into a uniform rotation of the disc. The number of springs in different models can be from 1 to 3. And in order for the disc to rotate only in one direction, a ratchet mechanism is used. Energy is transmitted by gears.

It works this way.

The regulator receives rotation from a spring drum. On its axis there are 2 bushings, one of which moves freely along the axis, and the other is driven. The bushings are interconnected by springs, on which lead weights are placed.

When rotating, the weights tend to move away from the axis, but this is prevented by the springs. A frictional force arises, which reduces the rotational speed.

To change the frequency of revolutions, the gramophone has a built-in manual speed control, which is 78 revolutions per minute (for mechanical models).

Inside it is a 0.25 mm thick plate, which is usually made of mica. On one side, the stylus is attached to the plate. On the other is a horn or bell.

There should be no gaps between the edges of the plate and the walls of the box, otherwise they will lead to sound distortion. Rubber rings are used for sealing.

The needle is made from diamond or solid steel, which is a budget option. It is attached to the membrane through a needle holder. Sometimes a lever system is added to increase the sound quality.

The needle slides along the sound track of the record and transmits vibrations to it. These movements are converted into sound by the membrane.

A tonearm is used to move the sound box over the surface of the record. It provides uniform pressure on the record, and the sound quality depends on the accuracy of its operation.

It increases the volume of the sound. Its performance depends on the shape and material of manufacture. No engravings are allowed on the horn, and the material must reflect sound well.

In early gramophones, the horn was a large, curved tube. In later models, it began to be built into the sound box. The volume was maintained at the same time.

All elements are mounted in it. It is designed in the form of a box, which is made of wood and metal parts. At first, the cases were rectangular, and then round and multifaceted ones appeared.

In expensive models, the case is painted, varnished and polished. As a result, the device looks very presentable.

The crank, controls and other "interface" are placed on the case. A plate indicating the company, model, year of manufacture and technical characteristics is fixed on it.

Despite the same internal structure, gramophones differ from each other.

The devices differ among themselves in some design features.

• Mechanical. A powerful steel spring is used as a motor.Advantages - no need for electricity. Disadvantages - poor sound quality and record life.
• Electrical. They are called gramophones. Advantages - ease of use. Disadvantages - the abundance of "competitors" for playing sound.

• Desktop. Compact portable version. Some models made in the USSR had a body in the form of a suitcase with a handle.
• On legs. Stationary option. Has a more presentable appearance, but less portability.

• Domestic. It is used indoors.
• Street. More unpretentious design.

• mahogany;
• made of metal;
• from cheap wood species;
• plastic (late models).

• Monophonic. Simple single track recording.
• Stereo. Can play left and right channel sound separately. For this, two-track records and a dual sound box are used. There are also two needles.

The main problem with buying is the abundance of cheap (and expensive) fakes. They look solid and may even play, but the sound quality will be poor. However, it is sufficient for the undemanding music lover. But when buying a prestigious item, pay attention to a number of points.

• The socket must not be collapsible or detachable. There should be no reliefs or engravings on it.
• The original casings of the old gramophone were almost exclusively rectangular.
• The leg holding the pipe must be of good quality. It cannot be ironed cheap.
• If the structure has a bell, there should be no extraneous cutouts on the sound box for sound.
• The color of the case should be saturated, and the surface itself should be varnished.
• The sound on a new record should be clear, without wheezing or rattling.

And most importantly, the user should like the new device.

You can find retro gramophones on sale in several places:

• restorers and private collectors;
• antiques shops;
• foreign trading platforms with private advertisements;
• online shopping.

The main thing is to carefully examine the device so as not to run into a fake. It is advisable to listen to it before buying. Technical documentation is encouraged.

There are several interesting stories associated with the gramophone.

1. While working on the phone, Thomas Edison began to sing, as a result of which the membrane with the needle began to vibrate and prick him. This gave him the idea of ​​a sound box.
2. Emil Berliner continued to perfect his invention. He came up with the idea of ​​using an electric motor to rotate the disk.
3. Berliner paid royalties to musicians who recorded their songs on gramophone records.