Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1876. The device contained a horizontal metal cylinder covered with tin foil, which was positioned near an arm carrying a blunt pin. A speaking tube was also attached.
When the cylinder was turned and noise was made, the needle was moved by the sound vibrations, causing wavy grooves to be made in the tin foil.
The needle could then be made to follow the grooves, creating a replica of the original sound and "playing back" the recording.
