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Telegraph Line
May 24th - In the United States, Samuel Morse begins his first telegraph line.
The wires run 39 miles from Baltimore, MD to Washington, D.C.
The first message sent by Morse is: "What hath God wrought?" -
Telephone Patent
Alexander Graham Bell issued a patent for the Telephone on March 7th. By the early
1800's many experimental uses were attempted for this invention including what was
later called "Audio Theatre" -- plays and readings performed over the telephone. -
First Microphone
Emile Berliner invents the first microphone and sells the rights to Bell Telephone -
The Flat Record Player
Emile Berliner invents the flat record player ("gramophone") using acoustic horn
and licenses technology to record companies who make "70-rpm" disks -
Magnetic Wire Sound Recording
Danish inventor Valdemar Poulson invents magnetic wire sound recording -
Modern Jukebox
Louis Glass invents the modern jukebox (coin-operated phonograph) and installs
it at the "Palais Royal" saloon in San Francisco where it is an immediate hit. -
International Copyright Agreement
The International copyright agreement is adopted between major countries -
Serious Business
Popular music becomes a serious business; Music Publishers begin renting
office space on 28th street in New York City, near vaudeville theatres in an
area that would become known worldwide as "Tin Pan Alley." -
"After The Ball"
The first "million-seller" song hit (sold via sheet music) was "After The Ball"
by Charles K. Harris, who was both its composer and publisher -
Pre-recorded Flat Disk
Eldredge Johnson perfects first system of mass duplication of pre-recorded flat disks. -
The Victrola
RCA Victor's "Victrola" model record player is introduced. It has a variable turntable
speed control to accomodate the wide range of phonograph records produced at that
time; Victor's speeds ranged from 71 - 76 rpm. Columbia was producing discs as 80rpm.
Some British disks even rotated between 66rpm - 90rpm; Although U.S. phonograph
manufacturers agreed in 1928 to standardize on the rate of 78.26 rpm, it still took
decades for more sta -
Wireless Music and Voice Broadcast
Charles "Doc" Herrold and his assistant Ray Newby begin experimental "wireless"
voice and music broadcasts from San Jose, California using experimental radio station
call letters "FN" and "SJN". They transmit with a series of arcing street lamps under liquid -
First Public Radio Broadcasting
Charles "Doc" Herrold begins the first regular public radio broadcasting of voice and
music from his "wireless telegraph college" in San Jose, California; He calls it "The
Herrold Station" and transmits to audiences from San Jose to San Francisco. -
Disk Recordings Become Popular
Disk recordings overtake cylinders in the popular market. Columbia drops cylinders. -
Disk Player
Edison Co. finally introduces a disk player, now that the cylinder market is gone -
The ASCAP
ASCAP formed to collect public performance royalties for Composers, Authors and
Publishers; Composer Victor Herbert is its first president. -
The first Jazz Recording
The Orig. Dixieland Jass <sic> Band (ODJB) makes the first "Jazz" recording. -
Electric Records
Electrical records replace acoustic discs, via a process developed by Western Electric.
