Library of Congress deems UCSB wax cylinder collection an important cultural artifact

Performing arts assistant Nadine Turner shows a wax cylinder, an early form of a phonograph record, from the UCSB Library. NIK BLASKOVICH/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Performing arts assistant Nadine Turner shows a wax cylinder, an early form of a phonograph record, from the UCSB Library.
NIK BLASKOVICH/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Before the 78 rpm shellac record, there was Thomas Edison’s wax cylinder, which had one amazing advantage over the format that would supplant it: you could record as well as play.

On March 25, the Library of Congress announced that it has added the Vernacular Wax Cylinder Recordings collection at the UCSB Library to the National Recording Registry.

Read More