Microphone

ALTERNATIVE NAME/S: mic

DETAILS: A microphone, invented in 1878 by David Edward Hughes* , is a device that converts acoustic sound waves into electric audio signals. Microphones work by using a magnetic diaphragm placed within a copper wire coil. When sound makes the diaphragm vibrate, the moving magnet creates a varying magnetic field and this in turn generates a varying electrical current in the coil. The current from the coil goes along a wire, and at the other end a reversal of the process causes a diaphragm to vibrate, generating audible sound.

ONELINER: The microphone converts sound into electrical signal that can be recorded, amplified or transmitted.

OTHER CONNECTIONS: Can be used for espionage and surveillance

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://home1.pacific.net.sg/%257Efirehzrd/audio/mics.html.;

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blhughesde.htm.;

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blmicrophones.htm.;

http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://arts.ucsc.edu/EMS/Music/tech%5Fbackground/TE%2D20/teces%5F20.html.;

http://history.acusd.edu/gen/recording/microphones1.html

Wikipedia