How to Make Thomas Edison's Phonograph

The first words Edison recorded on his phonograph were those of the children's rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

Thomas Edison invented the cylinder phonograph in 1877. A needle records sounds by engraving a vertical "hill and dale" pattern on metal foil wrapped around a cylinder. During playback, this pattern is read by a different needle. Later phonographs preserved recordings by engraving them on hardened wax. While the cylinder phonograph can be made at home today, Edison's initial invention was considered innovative.

Things You'll Need

• 5 pinewood circles, 4 inches diameter by 3 3/8 inches high
• 1 prethreaded metal shaft, 12 inches long by 1/2-inch diameter
• 4 nuts,1/2 inch
• 4 washers, 1/2 inch
• 1 metal can, approximately 1 1/2 inches tall
• 1 #4 screw, 1/4-inch
• 4 #6 screws, 3/8- or 1/2-inch
• 1 piece hard plastic
• 1 manila paper horn, approximately 8 inches long, 4 inches wide (open end), 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide (narrow end)
• 1 pine block 10-by-9-by-3/4 inches
• 4 pine blocks, approximately 2-by-1-by-3/4 inches
• 1 piece plywood 2-by-3 1/2-by-1/4 inches
• 1 pine block 3-by-2-by-3/4 inches
• 1 prethreaded stock shaft, 4 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter
• 2 pine blocks 1/4-by-2-by-3/4 inches
• 1 drawer knob
• 2 metal tabs with holes for screws
• 1 hand crank
• Felt
• Aluminum foil
• Glue
• Screwdriver
• Drill

Instructions

1. Drill 1/2-inch holes in the center of each of the five wood circles. Glue together and lock in place on the metal shaft with a nut and washer on either end of the cylinder.

2. Cut a narrow, 3/8-inch-deep slot lengthwise down the wood cylinder.

3. Remove the top and bottom of the aluminum can (tuna or pet food cans work well). Replace one end with hard plastic fitted to the size of the opening, and glue into place.

4. Measure to find the center of the plastic covering. Drill the #4 screw through this point to use as the needle.

5. Cover the open end of the can with cardboard, cutting a 1/2- to 3/4-inch hole in the middle. Glue the narrow end of the paper horn into the hole.

6. Glue two wood blocks (2-by-1 inches) to the base (10-by-9 inches), approximately 8 11/16 inches apart from each other and at least 4 1/8 inches away from the front of the base. One block should be flush with the side of the base.

7. Glue two 2-by-1 inch wood blocks 1 inch from the front of the base and 1 3/4 inches from the side.

8. Place the 2-by-3-inch pine block on the plywood, centering it. Hold the metal can over the block, and trace its position. Carve a semi-circle into the block. The can should fit snugly. Glue the block onto the plywood, centered side-to-side and with 9/16-inch open at the front.

9. Set the plywood/carved block on the base, approximately 1 inch from the front. Glue a 1/4-by-2-by-3/4 inch pine block snugly on either side, measuring 1 inch from the front.

10. Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the broad side of the carved block, so that the stock shaft will be parallel to the base. Place the stock shaft in the hole and secure it with a washer and nuts on either end of the block. It should not be so tight that it cannot turn.

11. Place a drawer knob over the end of the shaft for use as a handle.

12. Place the cylinder over the pine blocks from Step 6. On both blocks, place a metal tab over the shaft, and screw in place with the #6 screws.

13. Attach the hand crank to the end of the cylinder shaft on the side that is flush with the side of the base.

14. Glue the metal can with horn into the carved block.

15. Cut the felt to fit the cylinder. Wrap the felt around the cylinder and glue in place, leaving the slot uncovered.

16. Cut a sheet of aluminum foil approximately 3 inches wide by 13 inches long. Place one end of the aluminum foil in the slot and wrap smoothly around the cylinder. Secure the loose end of the foil in the slot.

Tips & Warnings

• The aluminum foil in Step 16 will need to be replaced for each new recording.

References

• Bizarre Stuff You Can Make in Your Kitchen: Thomas Edison's Phonograph
• Illustrated World: How to Make a Phonograph
• Library of Congress: The History of the Edison Cylinder Phonograph