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The Phonautograph: The Earliest Known Device for Recording Sound The Phonautograph was the earliest known device for recording sound, invented in 1857 by French scientist Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. The device utilized a horn to amplify sound waves, which were then traced onto a soot-coated cylinder or glass plate using a stylus. The recordings created by the Phonautograph were not able to be played back, but they were able to be visualized and analyzed. The invention of the Phonautograph was a major milestone in the history of sound recording technology. It predates Thomas Edison's phonograph by nearly 20 years and has been recognized as the first step towards the creation of the modern recording industry. Despite its historical importance, the Phonautograph received little attention during the 19th century and was largely forgotten by the early 20th century. Scott de Martinville's invention was not intended to be used for commercial purposes, but it was more of an experiment on recording sound. The Phonautograph was not able to play back the recordings and it was primarily used by Scott de Martinville and other scientists to study the nature of sound. In 2008, the First Sounds organization, a group dedicated to recovering and digitizing the earliest sound recordings, discovered a Phonautograph recording of the French folk song "Au clair de la lune" (Under the Light of the Moon) from 1860. Using advanced digital imaging techniques, the team was able to convert the visual recording into an audible form for the first time in history. The discovery generated significant interest and brought renewed attention to the Phonautograph and its significance in the development of sound recording technology. Today, the Phonautograph is considered an important part of the history of sound recording and is recognized as the first machine for recording sound for the purpose of studying it. The device has been featured in several museums and exhibitions, and it is considered an important artifact in the history of science and technology. In conclusion, The Phonautograph was the first device for recording sound, invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. It predates Thomas Edison's phonograph and played a significant role in the development of sound recording technology. Despite being largely forgotten during the 19th century, the Phonautograph has been rediscovered in recent years and its historical significance has been acknowledged.