Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Grooves
Puzzle Record

Title:

Puzzle Plate

Date:

1901

Material:

Shellac

Dimensions:

7 in. (18 cm)

Company:

Berliner Gramophone

Location:

London

There used to be a trick question: how many grooves are there on a phonograph record? The answer is one—a single groove (per side) that spirals in from the outer edge. However, very early in the history of the disc record, Berliner (or someone working for him) realized that two or more independent grooves could be interleaved. What you hear depends on where you put the needle down on the outer edge.

This holds three tracks: two musical numbers and one spoken (comic). One number is entitled "The Way to Kiss a Girl."