We're Recording Artists, Not Playback Artists

April 9, 2008 6:52 PM

The world's first sound recordings, made seventeen years before playback was invented.
posted by Rykey (10 comments total)

This provokes the question: Which comes first, the medium or the playback device for that medium?
posted by LSK at 6:55 PM on April 9, 2008

The medium, apparently.
posted by anomie at 6:58 PM on April 9, 2008

If it wasn't designed to be played back, what was it for? Fascinating though.
posted by kjs4 at 6:59 PM on April 9, 2008

The world's first MeFi post on this, made 13 days before search was invented.
posted by DU at 7:01 PM on April 9, 2008 [5 favorites]

Apparently the post came from INSIDE the blog, and was not meant to be snarked.
posted by blue_beetle at 7:06 PM on April 9, 2008

Is this a RickRoll set up?
posted by cazoo at 7:09 PM on April 9, 2008

LSK, depends on what you are recording. If it's touch, the medium is the massage. so sorry, couldn't resist
posted by BrotherCaine at 7:14 PM on April 9, 2008

Is this a RickRoll set up?

Arguably the best practical joke of 2008 would be to somehow swap that piece of paper with a recording of Rick Astley, just before a televised public demonstration of playback.
posted by davejay at 7:15 PM on April 9, 2008

This provokes the question: Which comes first, the medium or the playback device for that medium?
Well, the can opener wasn't invented until 50 years after the tin can...
posted by lekvar at 7:16 PM on April 9, 2008

The world's first MeFi post on this, made 13 days before search was invented.

pwned.
posted by Rykey at 7:39 PM on April 9, 2008