What were phonograph cylinders?
Q: What were phonograph cylinders?
A: Phonograph cylinders were the earliest commercial method for recording and reproducing sound.
Q: What were they commonly known as?
A: They were commonly known simply as "records" in their era of greatest popularity (c. 1896–1915).
Q: How were the audio recordings engraved on the cylinders?
A: The audio recordings were engraved on the outside surface of the cylinders.
Q: How can the sound be reproduced from the cylinders?
A: The sound can be reproduced when they are played on a mechanical cylinder phonograph.
Q: When did the competing disc record system become more popular?
A: In the 1910s, the competing disc record system became the more popular commercial audio medium.
Q: Where can some of the cylinders and their recorders be found?
A: Some of the cylinders and their recorders can be found in local museums.
Q: What is the significance of phonograph cylinders in the history of audio recordings?
A: Phonograph cylinders were the earliest commercial method for recording and reproducing sound, and played a significant role in the development of audio technology.