The Rotary Club of Carson City will step back in time at its next meeting when it explores the origins of recording devices. The meeting takes place on Tuesday, October 26th at noon in the Brewery Arts Center’s Grand Ballroom. Rich McGregor, an expert on Phonographs and other wind-up recording devices, will share his knowledge about the history of “talking machines”. Local audiophiles or anyone else with interest is welcome to attend.
McGregor developed his interest in the antique devices after purchasing a few while antique shopping more than 30 years ago. “I picked some Edison Machines back then and began to research Thomas Edison. I was immediately hooked on his brilliance”, he says. “Discovering his favorite invention was the Phonograph, I focused my energy into learning all I could about the machines he built, and learned how to restore and repair them, in addition to amassing a sizable collection!”
Years ago, McGregor opened a small side-business “World of Wind-Ups”. “I restored and repaired hundreds of the Phonographs still in the possession of many families across the country, I still do repairs and restorations of antique Phonographs and continue to enjoy adding machines to my bludgeoning collection.”
Along with the Edison Phonograph, McGregor will talk about the Victor flat recording disc and the technologies that emerged and led to the recording industry. Attendees will also enjoy hearing history come to life while listing to early recordings of former presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley and Woodrow Wilson.
Anyone interested in attending should email
carsoncitynvrotary@gmail.com. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Carson City visit www.carsonrotary.org.
