The eerie voice of a 134-year-old talking doll created by inventor Thomas Edison has recently captured the public's attention and ignited a flurry of reactions on social media. Housed at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, the doll features recordings that many people find unsettling, especially around the Halloween season.
Thomas Edison's ancient talking doll, endowed with a "horrifying" recorded voice, has become a phenomenon on social media, exemplifying the historical intersection of innovation and eeriness, the New York Post reported.
In 1890, Thomas Edison, renowned for his prolific innovations, added an intriguing item to his roster: a talking doll. This doll was not just any toy; it incorporated Edison’s phonograph technology, making it one of the earliest attempts to use recorded sound for entertainment.
Edison designed this early version of a sound-playing toy with a mini phonograph inside the doll's torso, enabling it to play 20-second audio clips. Each doll could recite various pieces, ranging from nursery rhymes to a simple prayer, although the actual recordings varied from doll to doll.
The National Park Service recently brought this peculiarity back into the public eye by posting a photo of the doll on its Facebook page right before Halloween, accompanied by a chilling audio clip that alarmed listeners.
The talking doll was initially available at elite toy stores, including what would later become FAO Schwarz, retailing between $10 and $20. Buyers had the option to purchase the doll either dressed or undressed, catering to different consumer preferences at the time.
Despite the innovative concept, the doll's market performance was lackluster. Edison produced around 10,000 units, yet only a fraction, approximately 2,500, found their way into homes. This disappointing sales record led to the doll's discontinuation a mere two months after its launch.
Various factors contributed to the doll's exit from the market. Leonard DeGraaf, an archivist at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, explained that the high cost, combined with the dolls' fragility and frequent malfunctions, made them unsuitable for the rough play typically expected of toys.
The technological feat brought unintended consequences related to its reception. DeGraaf shared that people did not find the doll particularly endearing in appearance or sound. This observation aligns with today’s reactions, which echo the unsettling nature of the recordings.
Social media users expressed their feelings towards the doll with vivid descriptions, calling it the “creepiest voice you will ever hear,” with others suggesting that its disturbing sound might have contributed to its swift removal from the market.
Interestingly, a humorous social media comment suggested that the chilling effect of the doll’s voice was so significant that it inspired Edison’s invention of the light bulb — leading him to never switch off the lights at night thereafter.
The creation of Edison’s talking doll followed the invention of the phonograph, a landmark achievement allowing sounds to be recorded and played back for the first time. DeGraaf highlighted the astonishment this technology sparked, as it offered a brand-new way to capture and replay human vocal sounds.
The prowess of Edison’s inventions, despite their initial practical limitations, marked significant strides in the technological landscape of the time, paving the way for future innovations in audio recording.
Today, the Edison talking doll remains a fascinating example of early technology’s ability to blend innovation with the unintended nuances of consumer reception — proving that even historical artifacts can stir modern emotions and curiosity.
