Phonautograph Simulator

The World's First Sound Recording Device (1857)

Invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville, 20 years before Edison's phonograph!

Recording Controls

Use Microphone

Sound Selection

Cylinder Speed

1.0x

Live Analysis

Frequency: 440 Hz

Amplitude:

Export

📚 How It Works

The phonautograph captures sound waves mechanically:

Sound Collection: The horn funnels sound waves to a flexible diaphragm
Mechanical Translation: The diaphragm vibrates and moves a connected stylus
Recording: The stylus traces patterns on soot-blackened paper wrapped around a rotating cylinder
Visual Result: Different sounds create unique wave patterns - the first visual representation of sound!

💡 Fun fact: Scott de Martinville never intended to play back the recordings - he just wanted to study sound visually!