WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Patrick played numerous excerpts from early audio recordings dating back to pre-civil war days. It was a fun program largely because of Partrick's enthusiasm and sense of humor. One of the ideas that I take with me from this program is the idea that Edison was by no means out there himself experimenting with audio recording.

Another idea is that people struggle down dead-end streets looking for ways to make use of emerging technologies. This was clearly demonstrated by the recording that was not designed to be listened to; it was designed to be seen. The experimental mechanism drew wave forms that the designer assumed people could learn to "read" and appreciate. From our perspective today, it seems like a naive assumption, but it may well be that anyone capable of "reading" and appreciating a musical score might also be capable of doing the same with a waveform output.