This talk continues our series of historic retrospectives on technology. We are (belatedly) celebrating the Thomas A. Edison Sesquicentennial with a fascinating demonstration and lecture about the "World's Oldest Playable Recording" (as noted in the Guinness Book of Records). Aaron Cramer will talk about how this recording, made in February 1878 by inventor Frank Lambert and preserved on a lead sleeve, was discovered. Lambert's interesting (and bizarre) life will also be discussed -- including his brief contact with Edison, and his connection to a modern $8-billion company.

Aaron Cramer is a retired New York City High School Automotive and Mechanical Technology teacher. He is an avid collector and researcher of historic sound recordings and antique phonographs. His collection (developed over the past quarter-century) focuses mainly on pre-1900 era items, but also follows developments made afterwards.

A pre-meeting dinner with the speaker is held at 6 p.m. at the Rusty Scupper on Alexander Road in Princeton. If you would like to attend, please call the information number to record your reservation on the answering machine.

Princeton ACM / IEEE Computer Society meeting are open to the public. Students and their parents are welcome. There is no admission charge, and refreshments are served after the meeting.