On February 19, 1878 Thomas Edison patents the phonograph. He later recounts his initial words on the device.

'The first words I spoke in the original phonograph, a little speech of practical poetry: 'Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.'

Golden Jubilee of the Phonograph ceremony 8/12/1927

Thanks to WNYC Archivist Andy Lanset