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History of Microphones Timeline

(1876–Present)

The history of microphones traces the development of devices that convert sound into electrical signals, transforming communication, broadcasting, music, and recording. Less

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Early Acoustic and Telephone Devices

Robert Hooke experiments with stretched wire

1664 - 1685

Between 1664 and 1685, English physicist Robert Hooke experimented with transmitting sound through a medium other than air. His early telephone used a stretched wire with a cup attached at each end.

Image source: Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke experiments with stretched wire

Water microphone improvements are developed

1800 - 1899

Minor variations and improvements to the water microphone were made by Majoranna, Chambers, Vanni, Sykes, and Elisha Gray.

Johann Philipp Reis builds a sound transmitter

1861

In 1861, German inventor Johann Philipp Reis built an early sound transmitter known as the Reis telephone. A metallic strip attached to a vibrating membrane produced intermittent electrical current.

Image source: Johann Philipp Reis

Johann Philipp Reis builds a sound transmitter

Bell and Gray develop liquid transmitters

1876

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray achieved better results with liquid transmitter designs. Their diaphragms were attached to conductive rods immersed in acid solutions.

Fessenden patents a water microphone

1903

In 1903, one version of the water microphone was patented by Reginald Fessenden, extending experimentation with liquid-based sound transmission.

Electromagnetic and Carbon Microphones

Antonio Meucci develops a dynamic microphone

1856

In 1856, Italian inventor Antonio Meucci developed a dynamic microphone based on generating electric current by moving a wire coil to different depths within a magnetic field.

Image source: Antonio Meucci

Antonio Meucci develops a dynamic microphone

Meucci describes his vibrating-diaphragm device

1857

In 1857, Antonio Meucci described his device as consisting of a vibrating diaphragm and an electrified magnet wrapped with spiral wire, documenting an early electromechanical microphone principle.

Hughes demonstrates a working microphone

1870 - 1879

Thomas Edison later received the first patent for the relevant carbon microphone design, but Hughes had demonstrated a working device before many witnesses years earlier. Historians commonly credit Hughes with its invention.

Image source: Microphone

Hughes demonstrates a working microphone

Edison receives a microphone patent

1877

Thomas Edison was awarded the first patent for the carbon microphone in mid-1877 after a lengthy legal dispute over priority and invention.

Edison refines the carbon microphone

1886

In 1886, Thomas Edison refined the carbon microphone into the carbon-button transmitter, a design that became important in early telephone and audio communication systems.

Image source: Carbon microphone

Edison refines the carbon microphone

Carbon microphone used in first radio broadcast

1910

The carbon microphone was used at the first radio broadcast, a performance held at the New York Metropolitan Opera House in 1910.

Image source: Radio broadcasting

Carbon microphone used in first radio broadcast

Condenser, Ribbon, and Professional Microphones

The condenser microphone gains alternate names

1900 - 1999

The condenser microphone is also known as a capacitor microphone or electrostatic microphone. The term condenser reflects the historical use of that word for capacitors.

Image source: Microphone

The condenser microphone gains alternate names

Wente develops the condenser microphone

1916

In 1916, E. C. Wente of Western Electric developed the first condenser microphone, creating a major new approach to converting sound into electrical signals.

The condenser microphone principle is established

1916

The condenser microphone developed by E. C. Wente used an electrostatic principle. It is also called a capacitor microphone because capacitors were historically called condensers.

Electromagnetic microphone designs expand

1923

The practical moving-coil and ribbon microphones introduced in 1923 expanded electromagnetic microphone technology, offering distinct methods for converting acoustic motion into electrical signals.

The ribbon microphone is introduced

1923

Also in 1923, the ribbon microphone was introduced as another electromagnetic microphone type. It is believed to have been developed by Harry F. Olson using the concept of a ribbon speaker.

Image source: Ribbon microphone

The ribbon microphone is introduced

The moving-coil microphone is introduced

1923

In 1923, the first practical moving-coil microphone was built. Its electromagnetic design became the basis of the dynamic microphones widely used in later audio production.

The HB1A becomes a leading microphone standard

1930

The HB1A microphone released by Alan Blumlein and Herbert Holman in 1930 was regarded as the best standard of its period, demonstrating the maturity of moving-coil technology.

Blumlein and Holman improve the moving-coil design

1930

In 1930, Alan Blumlein and Herbert Holman improved the moving-coil microphone. Their HB1A became the leading standard of its day.

The Neumann U 47 is introduced

1949

The introduction of the Neumann U 47 in 1949 marked a turning point in microphone technology and professional recording.

Image source: Neumann U 47

The Neumann U 47 is introduced

Electro-Voice introduces a shotgun microphone

1963

In 1963, Electro-Voice responded with a shotgun microphone that won an Academy Award, recognizing its contribution to motion-picture sound technology.

The Shure SM57 is introduced

1965

Introduced in 1965, the Shure SM57 revolutionized the recording of musical instruments and amplified live music through its durable dynamic design.

Image source: Shure SM57

The Shure SM57 is introduced

Modern Microphone Technologies

Microphone amplification becomes less relevant

1900 - 1925

Amplification approaches associated with some microphone systems became less relevant from the early 20th century, when amplifiers were expensive and generated substantial heat.

Low-noise microphones serve specialized applications

1900 - 1999

Very quiet microphones have existed for years for specialized applications. The Brüel & Kjaer 4179 is an example, with a noise level around 0 dB SPL.

The Thing is devised for covert listening

1945 - 1952

A covert, remotely energized application of condenser-like physical principles, known as the Thing, was devised by Soviet Russian inventor Leon Theremin and used to bug the US ambassador’s residence in Moscow between 1945 and 1952.

Image source: The Thing (listening device)

The Thing is devised for covert listening

Sessler and West invent the electret microphone

1962

In 1962, Gerhard Sessler and James West invented the electret microphone at Bell Laboratories. It is a type of condenser microphone that uses a permanently charged electret material.

Image source: Electret microphone

Sessler and West invent the electret microphone

Professional USB microphones begin to appear

2005

Since 2005, professional-quality microphones with USB connections have begun appearing. They are designed for direct recording into computer-based audio software.

Image source: Røde Microphones

Professional USB microphones begin to appear

The particulate flow detection microphone is patented

Aug 25, 2009

On August 25, 2009, US patent 7,580,533 was issued for a particulate flow detection microphone based on a laser-photocell pair. A moving stream of smoke or vapor passes through the laser beam.

The particulate flow microphone is demonstrated

Oct 9, 2009 - Oct 12, 2009

A prototype particulate flow detection microphone was demonstrated at the 127th Audio Engineering Society convention in New York City from October 9 through October 12, 2009.

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Key Facts

  1. Alexander Graham Bell and his collaborators developed some of the earliest telephone transmitters in 1876, establishing the foundation for microphone technology.
  2. The carbon microphone, improved by Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner, became widely used in telephones because it was simple, durable, and relatively sensitive.
  3. The ribbon microphone emerged in the 1920s and became valued for its warm, natural sound, especially in broadcasting and music recording.
  4. Condenser microphones were refined during the 1920s and 1930s, offering greater sensitivity and accuracy for professional recording and radio.
  5. Modern microphones include dynamic, condenser, ribbon, lavalier, shotgun, USB, and wireless designs, supporting applications from smartphones to studio production.

Source

This History of Microphones timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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