This is an experimental sound recording made in the Volta Laboratory, Washington, D.C., on 15 April 1885. It is a recording of Alexander Graham Bell s voice.
In a ring around the center, it is inscribed in the wax: Record made April 15 1885/AGB and C.A.B. [Chichester A. Bell]/to test reproduction of numbers./ Disk A. G. B. No. 1. A paper document, probably in Alexander Graham Bell s handwriting, with a transcription of the recording is 287881.02
Leslie J. Newville, Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory, in Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, United States National Museum Bulletin 218, Paper 5 (1959): 69-79.
one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, three hundred thousand, four hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, six hundred thousand, seven hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand, nine hundred thousand, one million
three thousand five hundred and seventy one / one hundred and twenty three thousand nine hundred and forty one/ one hundred and twenty five thousand eight hundred and seventy three
one million nine hundred and forty five thousand eight hundred and seventy six / thirty-five thousand nine hundred / thirty three thousand eight hundred and seventy eight
forty eight thousand seven hundred and fifteen/ seven hundred and ninety thousand [no?] hundred and forty two / four million five hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred and seventy
forty five dollars and a half / eighty nine dollars and seventy three cents / four thousand [no?] hundred and twenty nine dollars and forty-six cents
thirty five cents / twenty five cents / thirty cents / fifty cents
half a dollar [a? seems to be missing] quarter dollar
three dollars and a half / five dollars and a quarter / seven dollars and twenty nine cents
ten dollars and a half / three thousand seven hundred and eighty five dollars and fifty six cents
This record has been made by Alexander Graham Bell
in the presence of Dr. Chichester A. Bell ----
on the 15th of April, eighteen hundred and eighty five at the Volta Laboratory
Twelve hundred and twenty one Connecticut Avenue, Washington [D.C. ?]
In witness whereof --- hear my voice Alexander Graham Bell
