Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Blog Post: Trilled R's and the Dawn of Recorded Sound in America"

Introduction to Acoustics Instruments

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:32:39 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses on the history of acoustics during the 18th and 19th centuries, including demonstrations of wave models, tuning forks, sirens, resonators, and the Chladni plate. This is the first video in a series of five.

Resonance Demonstration

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:33 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses on instruments that showcase acoustics resonance, including tuning forks on resonator boxes, matching resonators, Helmholtz resonators, and a resonator on a brass cup. This is the fifth video in a series of five.

Voices of US Presidents of the Twentieth Century

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:39:44 GMT

The Vincent Voice Library at Michigan State University is working to preserve over 100 years of historical spoken word recordings like those of the U.S. Presidents, and shares some of the sound samples from its collection for students, teachers, and scholars on this website. The site is an easily searchable library of primary audio sources of any president from Benjamin Harrison to George W. Bush.

Build Your Own Gramophone

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:12:05 GMT

Create a cardboard gramophone and think about its connection to recorded sounds. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.