Resumen de The Edison tin foil phonograph in Barcelona: a demonstration at the free athenaeum of Catalonia (1878)
Thomas A. Edison and his phonograph (1877) attracted great admiration. On 12th September 1878, following its presentation in other European cities, a phonographic soirée for members and guests was held at the Free Athenaeum of Catalonia in Barcelona, founded that year, mainly as a reaction to the banning of positivist or Darwinist lectures at the Barcelona Athenaeum. The innovative firm Francisco Dalmau and Son imported phonographs (the first one from London for the School of Industrial Engineers of Barcelona) and experimented with them. Before Tomàs J. Dalmau presented the device at the Royal Academy of Natural Sciences and Arts of Barcelona, he participated in the phonographic session at the Free Athenaeum. This demonstration was preceded by a talk by the writer and science popularizer Joaquim M. Bartrina. Although many other activities, sometimes repeating the Bartrina-Dalmau tandem, took place at this centre, the phonographic demonstration contributed especially to its establishment as a leading institution for the local popularization of science and to the propagation of its views. Other scientists and amateurs were also interested in the phonograph, which was used at several locations, even in conjuring performances. This paper will analyse a case of the circulation and social exposure of technology in a context of ideological controversies.
