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 The phonograph celebrates a birthday Did you know that it was 127 years ago when mankind invented the first phonograph? August 12, 1877, is the date popularly given for Thomas Alva Edison’s completion of the model for the first phonograph, a device that recorded sound onto tinfoil cylinders. It is more likely, however, that work on the model was not finished until November or December of that year, as Edison did not file for the patent until December 24, 1877. While working to improve the efficiency of a telegraph transmitter, Edison noted that the tape of the machine gave off a noise resembling spoken words when played at a high speed. This caused him to wonder if he could record a telephone message. Edison began experimenting with the diaphragm of a telephone receiver by attaching a needle to it. He reasoned that the needle could prick paper tape to record a message. His experiments led him to try a stylus on a tinfoil cylinder, which, to his great surprise, played back the short message he recorded, “Mary had a little lamb.” The rest is history. Compiled by liberal arts professor Weihua Zhang, Ph.D., from the Library of Congress Web site.
Several coaches from the Savannah College of Art and Design participated in a fund-raiser for the U.S. Women’s Paralympic Basketball Team held at Jenkins High School July 31. The event featured dignitaries and local celebrities in a basketball game against the U.S. Women’s Paralympic Basketball Team. Representing SCAD at the basketball game were baseball coach Doug Wollenburg, assistant baseball coaches Shawn Summe and David Haverstick, assistant men’s and women’s rowing coach Brian DeDominici, men’s and women’s tennis coach Chuck Keenan, and strength and conditioning coach Sam Carter. The SCAD team was impressive in their wheelchair debut, holding the Paralympic team to their lowest scoring output of the day, with the Paralympic team beating SCAD 8-4. “It was fun and for a good cause. I have come to fully appreciate the talents and skills level of the Paralympic athlete,” said Wollenburg. The U.S. Women’s Paralympic Basketball Team is in Savannah training for the upcoming Paralympic Games being held in Athens, Greece, later this summer. |
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