Kolomna Gramophone Factory, USSR 1940/41
42 x 36 x 46 cm, ca. 30 kg
Wood, rolls of paper tape, electric motor, photocell, lamp, concave mirror, radio receiver

A wide paper tape containing eight variable-area tracks (as used for film sound) is highlighted by a beam of light of constant intensity. As the recorded tape moves, the reflection of the beam of light varies with the changes of the sound waves. The bundle of light is then reflected by a concave mirror to a light-sensitive cell and converted into electronic oscillations. The device plays all eight tracks one after the other and then stops. In order to restart it, the playback unit must be returned to the starting position. Each strip plays for 50 minutes and can be played back around 3600 times.

 
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