The Phonodeik is a
sound
In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid.
In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the br ...
recording apparatus
invented by
Dayton Miller in 1908. The Phonodeik converts sound waves into visual images. The name was suggested by
Edward W. Morley
Edward Williams Morley (January 29, 1838 – February 24, 1923) was an American scientist known for his precise and accurate measurement of the atomic weight of oxygen, and for the Michelson–Morley experiment.
Biography
Morley was born in New ...
. Before electronic oscilloscopes, this device was used for analyzing sound
wave
In physics, mathematics, engineering, and related fields, a wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from List of types of equilibrium, equilibrium) of one or more quantities. ''Periodic waves'' oscillate repeatedly about an equilibrium ...
s. The Phonodeik can be modified to project sound waves on a screen for public demonstration.
Description
The Phonodeik used
photograph
A photograph (also known as a photo, or more generically referred to as an ''image'' or ''picture'') is an image created by light falling on a photosensitivity, photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor. Th ...
ic material to record sound. A
diaphragm receiver of thin glass is at the end of a resonator horn. Behind the diaphragm is a
steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that demonstrates improved mechanical properties compared to the pure form of iron. Due to steel's high Young's modulus, elastic modulus, Yield (engineering), yield strength, Fracture, fracture strength a ...
pulley
Sheave without a rope
A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft enabling a taut cable or belt passing over the wheel to move and change direction, or transfer power between itself and a shaft.
A pulley may have a groove or grooves between flan ...
spindle mounted in jeweled bearings with an attached
mirror
A mirror, also known as a looking glass, is an object that Reflection (physics), reflects an image. Light that bounces off a mirror forms an image of whatever is in front of it, which is then focused through the lens of the eye or a camera ...
and oscillating tension spring. Wrapped on the pulley spindle are thin
silk
Silk is a natural fiber, natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving, woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is most commonly produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoon (silk), c ...
fiber
Fiber (spelled fibre in British English; from ) is a natural or artificial substance that is significantly longer than it is wide. Fibers are often used in the manufacture of other materials. The strongest engineering materials often inco ...
s or
platinum
Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...
wire
file:Sample cross-section of high tension power (pylon) line.jpg, Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample d ...
turning around the mirror with amplitude. The sound vibrates the diaphragm on the bottom and a light beam is reflected to the sensitive photographic paper (or a projection screen).
See also
*
Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope (formerly known as an oscillograph, informally scope or O-scope) is a type of electronic test instrument that graphically displays varying voltages of one or more signals as a function of time. Their main purpose is capturing i ...
*
Sonograph
*
Phonautograph
The phonautograph is the earliest known device for recording sound. Previously, tracings had been obtained of the sound-producing vibratory motions of tuning forks and other objects by physical contact with them, but not of actual sound waves ...
*
Kymograph
A kymograph (from Greek κῦμα, swell or wave + γραφή, writing; also called a kymographion) is a type of two-dimensional plot that represents spatial position or signal intensity over time. In its modern usage, a kymograph is typically a s ...
External links and references
* "''Lecture III -- Methods of recording and photographing sound waves -
Phonodeik'". The science of musical sounds.
* Hoekje, Peter L. and William Fickinger, "
Acoustic teaching apparatus before 1929 at the Case School of Applied Science'".
* Gilliam, L., and W. Lichtenwanger, "
'". Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. 1961.
ia American Memory* Greenslade, Jr., Thomas B., "
The Sonograph '"
Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.
* "
fonodèik'". Enciclopedia Generale. (Italian)
* Miller, Dayton,
Sound Waves: Their Shape and Speed'. 1937.
* Miller, Dayton.
The Science of Musical Sounds'. 1916.
The Dead Media Archive's entry on the Phonodeik* Lindon W Bates. {{US Patent, 1294861, Method of and apparatus for recording sounds.
Laboratory equipment
Sound recording technology