In this episode of Keeping Tempo we take a look at the Mae Starr Talking Phonodoll, made circa 1920. This Edison phonodoll winds from the rear and plays small cylinders featuring popular children's tunes and nursery rhymes. The sound produced was not very strong, and the doll featured no volume control. Manufacturers of the phonodoll (and of earlier, similar dolls) suggests that the nursery rhymes be read before listening to the cylinders.
MSU Libraries: http://lib.msstate.edu
Charles H. Templeton Business of Music Museum: http://lib.msstate.edu/templeton/index.php
Host: William Miller
Editor and Producer: Keegan Lindsey
Backbay Lounge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3408-backbay-lounge
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/