One of the most impactful mechanical inventions on 20th-century music is the phonograph. Invented by Thomas Edison in 1877 and further developed by Emile Berliner in the late 1800s, the phonograph allowed for the recording and playback of sound. This invention revolutionized the way music was consumed and distributed.
The phonograph made it possible for music to be recorded and mass-produced, leading to the rise of the recording industry. It democratized access to music, enabling people to listen to artists from around the world in their own homes, regardless of live performances. This change also contributed to the popularization of various music genres, including jazz, blues, rock and roll, and later, electronic music.
Additionally, the phonograph set the stage for subsequent technological advancements, including the development of radio and television, which further transformed music consumption in the 20th century. The advent of the phonograph thus had a profound and lasting impact on the music industry, culture, and society as a whole.