The history presentation programs return this Thursday for the Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society.

“The Phonograph: Edison’s Favorite Invention” is a presentation exploring the origins of modern entertainment and the role of the phonograph.

LCHGS Board member Seth Allen will demonstrate the operation of phonographs from Allen’s personal collection of devices he has accumulated over many years.

Special guest Tyler Bridge will participate in a vintage recording session. The 1899 Home Model A Phonograph will record Bridge’s performance on a blank cylinder and a playback of the recording will be presented.

“We are looking forward to our firs society presentation since the pandemic,” said LCHGS vice president Cathy Bridge. “Seth has quite a collection of phonographs and records. We hope people will come out and see this unique presentation. We will be starting our annual membership drive at this meeting.”

The first phonograph was invented in 1877 at Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory. The phonograph allowed people to listen to whatever music they wanted, when and where they wanted, and for as long as they wanted. It altered how people listened to music.

The phonograph was the beginning of “on demand” listening — “The music you want, whenever you want it,” one phonograph ad boasted.

The free program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Jimmy Furlow Senior Center on South First Street, and refreshments will be served.