Enthusiast finds history in antique records (78 rpm et al.)
After cranking up his Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph by hand, Timothy Brooks gingerly drops a needle onto the black plastic disc, bringing forth a boisterous jazz tune.
Along the walls of his Glenville home, Brooks has more than 10,000 other antique records, representing almost a half century of collecting 78 rpm records at rummage sales, auctions and through the Internet.
While showing off several of the ancient phonographs, Brooks explained how the primitive state of recording technology forced singers to belt out every song at top volume to imprint a sound.
"There wasn't a lot of crooning in the old days," Brooks said.
Brooks, 65, a television executive and writer, said that from the melodies of minstrels and street singers to spoken orations by world figures, old records are a portal that provide important historical insights into early 20th century America.
Read entire article at AP
Along the walls of his Glenville home, Brooks has more than 10,000 other antique records, representing almost a half century of collecting 78 rpm records at rummage sales, auctions and through the Internet.
While showing off several of the ancient phonographs, Brooks explained how the primitive state of recording technology forced singers to belt out every song at top volume to imprint a sound.
"There wasn't a lot of crooning in the old days," Brooks said.
Brooks, 65, a television executive and writer, said that from the melodies of minstrels and street singers to spoken orations by world figures, old records are a portal that provide important historical insights into early 20th century America.