Rock Recording Techniques
Is it true that rocks can actually store/record sounds such as voices, and replay them under the right scientific conditions?
———- from Van of Chicago IL
Yes, it’s true, and, in fact, that’s how the recording industry got its start. Way back around 60,000 BC, two cavemen, Johnny and Shuggy Otis, found that if they screamed really loud into rocks, the sounds would be replayed if the rocks were later hit with a wooden stylus, or “stick”, as they called it. Later, by stripping bark from trees and dragging it through mounds of charred animal bones, they were able to simulate the first eight track tape. The fidelity was awful, the rocks were heavy and could only hold a few sounds per boulder, but it was enough to create the proud industry that ultimately gave us Milli Vanilli and Menudo, among others.
Yes, it’s true, and, in fact, that’s how the recording industry got its start. Way back around 60,000 BC, two cavemen, Johnny and Shuggy Otis, found that if they screamed really loud into rocks, the sounds would be replayed if the rocks were later hit with a wooden stylus, or “stick”, as they called it. Later, by stripping bark from trees and dragging it through mounds of charred animal bones, they were able to simulate the first eight track tape. The fidelity was awful, the rocks were heavy and could only hold a few sounds per boulder, but it was enough to create the proud industry that ultimately gave us Milli Vanilli and Menudo, among others. 