INVENTIONS IN MUSIC

WHO INVENTED BOOM BOX?

In 1975 the first boom box was invented by Woelfel Brothers. The speakers and the eight track car stereo were placed in a wooden box. It had the capability of playing cassettes along with the local radio stations too. With the popularity of hip- hop culture in 1980 boom box became a craze for teenagers and youngsters. The other common names for boom box are ghetto blaster, jam box and radio- cassette. The boom box thereafter was modified several times to make it more powerful, more attractive and handy. The original characteristics of the boom boxes were their rectangular shape, sharp edges and chrome appearance. The boom box has all the required components powerful speakers, amplifiers, radio tuner and cassette player; all required for entertaining one with good music. The additional advantage of the boom box is the ability of using both AC/DC electrical powers.

The modified boom box has the features of volume control, bass, tone control and short wavelength reception. The additional slots help in adding more speakers and mikes to the system. It is also used as record players and the people in musical profession have made huge investments for the same. With the change in appearance the technology has also made change in the boom box, the cassette slots and turntables are replaced by CD player installations. The boom box invention has added a lot to the music world.

WHO INVENTED PHONOGRAPH?

Edison invented the first phonograph in 1877. He got the patent for it at the same time. The name phonograph was originally given by Edison; the word was derived from Greek words meaning sound or voice. Edison did not work on developing a phonograph but it was invented while he was working on a telegraph machine. Edison had started working on the telegraph machine when he was a teenager. The first phonograph which Edison designed was a small model which used tin foil covered metal cylinder as a record. It had an axle which could be turned and a mouthpiece with a vibrating disc or a diaphragm. A later version had a funnel-shaped earpiece to increase the volume of the sound.

The early versions of phonograph had few problems. The cylinder either damaged or became worn out after few uses. Cylinder production was a difficult task. The handle had to be constantly turned while speaking in the mouthpiece.

Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He is one of the greatest inventors of the America. At the age of seven his family moved to Michigan. His formal schooling was just for three months as he was not a good scholar according to his teacher. He was taught by his mother who was confident of his child’s capability. At the age of 15 he became deaf after an accident. Even after so many hardships he became a successful inventor.