The widespread use of Thomas Alva Edison’s device significantly changed the process of listening at the end of 19th century and 20th century. Still, today we listen to technologically re-produced sound. The article analyses the technology and historical context of developing this medium. I refer to Friedrich Kittlers work presenting the phonograph and later gramophone as a dysfunctional human apparatus – a passive device that records everything, without filtering the vibration and the context of scientific experiment made it a fact. I analyse Edison Company promotional strategies and actions referring to categories of liveness, dysfunction and sound representation.
