Listening Tour of the 20th Century

LIsten to the evolution of recorded music on historic sound machines. The tour begins with an original 1902 Edison Talking Machine playing authentic Amberol cylinder recordings of early 20th century Vaudeville skits. Listen to a single song as it was recorded on iconic formats: shellac 78 rpm disk, 45 rpm single, and 33 rpm LP, and live CD recording.

The journey continues through the era of tape—reel-to-reel, 8-track, and cassette—before spinning into the golden age of vinyl with playing music of the times on vintage turntables from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s that showcase the enduring life of vinyl across decades.

Whether you’re an audiophile, media historian, or lover of vintage sound, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to listen historically—and experience the technologies that shaped the way we hear, share, and remember sound.

Workshop Facilitators:

Anne Balsamo directs the Media Archeology Lab at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she teaches courses in Technology and Culture and Digital Cultural Heritage. In her art practice, she creates mixed media sculptures using analog televisions and legacy content. She founded 7 Moons Media Studios in 2024 to create a space for art making and public events focused on the exploration of the expressive possibilities of not-so-obsolete media.

Francisco Castelán is the owner of 3D Electronics in Plano, Tx. A master of the fine art of electronics repair, he has 20 years of experience repairing and restoring vintage sound devices. He repairs stereo component systems, console stereos, video players, phonographs, record players, boom boxes, portable CD players, and DVD players. His expertise in vintage electronics repair draws clients from all parts of Texas and other southwest states.

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Host or Publisher Anne Balsamo