This complete illustrated history of recorded sound reveals the masterful product design behind the evolving technology of sound recording, with specially commissioned photography of iconic, rarely seen artifacts from the collections of the EMI Archive Trust. Organized chronologically, this richly illustrated resource tells the incredible story of the development of sound recording throughout the acoustic era (1877–1925), the electrical era (1925–45), the magnetic era (1945–75), and the digital era (1975–present), and it showcases specially commissioned photography of the beautiful, iconic, and rarely seen objects housed within the diverse collections of the EMI Archive Trust. Recording equipment, playback devices, catalogues, artist files, records, master tapes, radios, and televisions are all here, accompanied by obsessively detailed specifications and intriguing archival photographs.

The art of sound showcases the hardware that changed the way we listen to music: from wax cylinder to stereophonic gramophone, acoustic corn to magnetic loudspeaker, valve radio to solid-state transistor, wire recorder to magnetic tape, Walkman to iPod, and compact disc to digital download. Facsimile blueprints splice the chapters: quirky, innovative and handsome patents from yesterday's tomorrows.

Published in 2017 by Thames & Hudson

345 pages / Hardcover