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How to Build Your Own Gramophone

The term gramophone is an older term for what Americans refer to as the phonograph or record player. In its basic form, a gramophone is a simple analogue device that uses a needle to collect sound on a record and a horn to project it outward. You can replicate this simple process at home with materials you have lying around the house. This is a fun and simple project that won't take very long to complete.

Things You'll Need

Needle
Construction paper
Tape
Spindle
Record
Old turntable

Instructions

- 1
  Fold a piece of construction paper into a cone. The size of the paper is unimportant, but the cone must form a tight point at one end and an open cone at the other.
- 2
  Tape your cone at one end and further down along the seam so that the cone does not move.
- 3
  Place a metal needle at the tip of the paper cone and tape it securely in place. Push it gently with the tip of your index finger to ensure that it doesn't come loose.
- 4
  Prepare a spindle that will accommodate a record and allow it to rotate. Place the spindle on a flat surface, but ensure that the record does not drag along the bottom. Try using an old turntable if you have one lying around. Otherwise, anything that fits the record's hole and is able to turn will do.
- 5
  Hold the cone over your record so that the needle falls into one of the grooves. Rotate the record by hand and put your ear near the cone to hear the music. Change the speed by moving the record more slowly or quickly.

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