Thomas Edison invented the tin-foil phonograph in 1877, and in 1888
he began recording onto wax cylinders.  In that same year, his London
agent, Colonel Gouraud, began selling phonographs in England and
invited celebrities to record audio greeting-cards to be sent back
to Edison.

On October 5, 1888, Gouraud was visited by Sir Arthur Sullivan, the
composer of "H.M.S. Pinafore" and other operettas.  Although the
sound quality is extremely primitive by modern standards, Sullivan
was impressed but he foresaw the potential for abuse of the medium:

"For myself I can only say that I am astonished, and somewhat
terrified at the results of this evening's experiments.  Astonished
at the wonderful power you have developed -- and terrified at the
thought that so much hideous and bad music may be put on record
forever."

The accompanying file, SULLIVAN.VOC, contains this recording in
Soundblaster VOXKIT format.  Type "VPLAY SULLIVAN" and hear
a recording made more than 100 years ago!

                            Mark Lutton