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rom Telegram to home recorders: How did wire recorders become popular in the 20th century
In the early twentieth century, with the rapid development of science and technology, recording technology also continued to evolve. Among them, the wire recorder, as the first magnetic recording technology, ushered in a new era of recording. This technology, which uses thin steel wire to record audio, marks a major advancement in the preservation of human music and voice. Although the wire recorder was eventually replaced by more advanced magnetic tape recording equipment, its popularity in the mid-20th century undoubtedly left a deep historical mark.
Historical BackgroundA wire recorder uses a rapidly pulled steel wire to record audio signals through the magnetization of a recording head.
The origins of wire recorders can be traced back to 1898, when Danish engineer Valdemar Poulsen invented the first wire recorder and gave it the trademark name Telegram. Early wire recorders were used primarily for telephone and instruction recording, but applications were still limited in the 1920s and 1930s, with wax cylinder recorders still the most common.
The peak of the wire recorder occurred between 1946 and 1954, thanks to advances in technology and less expensive designs.
During this period, a number of companies (such as the Brush Development Company and the Armour Research Foundation) began to produce simplified versions of wire recorders under international licensing, and many American, Japanese, and European manufacturers followed suit with their own models. These improved wire recorders were not only promoted for use in offices, but also became a part of home entertainment. Compared with the popular acetate disc recorders at the time, wire recorders had the advantage of being reusable.
Technical Features
Early wire recorders were known for the high transmission speeds of their metal medium. The standard postwar wire recorder ran at 24 inches (about 610 mm) per second, which allowed recording lengths to be greatly increased. In contrast, tape recorders were unable to enter the market quickly at the time due to their high prices.
Although wire recorders were relatively complex to edit and process, they offered significant advantages in the field of radio broadcasting at the time.
Like tape, cable recorders can sound quite good, especially when used with a high-quality microphone or signal source, with audio clarity comparable to that of contemporary records.
Cultural influenceWire recorders have their place in culture and history. For example, during World War II, the U.S. Army's 3132 Signal Service used wire recorders to create audio confusion to conceal actual military operations. In 1946, psychology professor David Boder used a wire recorder to record the first batch of Holocaust testimonies, and these precious oral histories later became important materials.
This technological advancement opens up the possibility for many artistic and documentary creations, with applications ranging from music to film.
In addition, wire recorders are often seen in movies, where they are used as important props to advance the plot. In many classic movies or TV shows, you can see characters using wire recorders to record, showing how popular it was in that era.
ConclusionAlthough the wire recorder was gradually replaced by the tape recorder over time, its innovation in recording technology and its impact cannot be underestimated. When we look back at that innovative era, do we begin to wonder how today’s digital recording technology will transform our sound history?
