ClipArt ETC

The Sound ClipArt gallery offers 43 images of sound and apparatus used to test the frequency and level of sound. See also the Telephone and Telegraph Industry gallery for many early sound transmitting devices.

An example of a early alarm.

Alarm

An example of a early alarm.

This is an acoustic earpiece or early design loudspeaker, the speaker moves in accordance with the variations of an electrical signal and causes sound waves to propagate through a medium such as air.

Acoustic Earpiece

This is an acoustic earpiece or early design loudspeaker, the speaker moves in accordance with the variations…

"Where to stand so that an echo may be heard relative to the source." -Comstock 1850

Echo

"Where to stand so that an echo may be heard relative to the source." -Comstock 1850

"Hemholtz constructed a series of resonators, each one of which responds powerfully to a single tone of certain pitch or wavelength. they are metallic vessels, nearly spherical, having an opening, as at A, for the admission of the sound waves." -Avery 1895

Hemholtz Resonator

"Hemholtz constructed a series of resonators, each one of which responds powerfully to a single tone…

A device for projecting sound waves, as in a loudspeaker.

Loud Horn

A device for projecting sound waves, as in a loudspeaker.

This illustration shows a vertical section of the larynx and its many parts (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B. Cricoid Cartilage; C. hyoid bone; D. Rings of trachea; E. Epiglottis; F. Arytenoid Cartilage; G. Thyro-arytenoid muscle; H. Adam's Apple; I. False Vocal Cords; J. True Vocal Cords; K. Ventricle; L. Rima Glottis).

Vertical Section of Larynx

This illustration shows a vertical section of the larynx and its many parts (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B.…

This illustration shows a lateral aspect of the larynx and its multiple parts (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B. Cricoid Cartilage; C. hyoid bone; D. Rings of trachea; E. Epiglottis; F. Arytenoid Cartilage; G. Thyro-arytenoid muscle; H. Adam's Apple; I. False Vocal Cords; J. True Vocal Cords; K. Ventricle; L. Rima Glottis).

Lateral Aspect of Larynx

This illustration shows a lateral aspect of the larynx and its multiple parts (A. Thyroid Cartilage;…

An instrument invented byProf. Hughes in 1878, and which is used to increase the intensity of low sounds.

Microphone

An instrument invented byProf. Hughes in 1878, and which is used to increase the intensity of low sounds.

"Procure an open organ-pipe, at least one side of which is made of glass. While the pipe is emitting its fundamental tone, lower a small ring with a paper bottom, on which a little fine sand has been strewn, as shown. Just inside the upper part of the pipel, the sand dances...its motion becoming less energetic as the ring approaches the middle of the pipe." -Avery 1895

Organ Pipe

"Procure an open organ-pipe, at least one side of which is made of glass. While the pipe is emitting…

An instrument for recording and reproducing the vibrations of sound. It was invented by Thomas A Edison in 1877, and has been improved by him and other inventors.

Phonograph

An instrument for recording and reproducing the vibrations of sound. It was invented by Thomas A Edison…

Any sound-reproducing machine using records in the form of cylinders or discs.

Machine for Phonograph

Any sound-reproducing machine using records in the form of cylinders or discs.

"Reflection of sound." -Comstock 1850

Reflection

"Reflection of sound." -Comstock 1850

"Hold a lamp reflector or other large concave mirror directly facing the sun, so as to bring the rays of light to a focus...At some point, W, between F and C, the center of curvature of the reflector, hang a loud-ticking watch, and hunt for the point, X, at which the ear can most distinctly hear the ticking. Moving the reflector will render the sound inaudible." -Avery 1895

Reflection of Sound Using a Reflector

"Hold a lamp reflector or other large concave mirror directly facing the sun, so as to bring the rays…

"In a circle, sound is reflected from every plane surface placed around it, and hence, if the sound is emitted from the centre of a circle, this centre will be the point at which the echo will be most distinct." -Comstock 1850

Sound Reflection in a Circle

"In a circle, sound is reflected from every plane surface placed around it, and hence, if the sound…

"Fill with carbon dioxide a large rubber toy balloon or other double-convex lens having easily flexible walls. Suspend a watch, and place yourself so that you can just hear its ticking. Have the gas-filled lens moved back and forth in the line between watch and and ear until the ticking is much more plainly heard. Use a glass funnel as an ear-trumpet." -Avery 1895

Sound Refraction

"Fill with carbon dioxide a large rubber toy balloon or other double-convex lens having easily flexible…

"Hold a vibrating tuning fork over the mouth of a cylindrical jar about 10 or 18 inches deep, and notive the feebleness of the sound. Pour in water, as shown, and notive that, when the liquid reaches a certain level, the sound suddenly becomes much louder." -Avery 1895

Demonstration of Resonance Using a Tuning Fork and Water Column

"Hold a vibrating tuning fork over the mouth of a cylindrical jar about 10 or 18 inches deep, and notive…

"How sound reverberates." -Comstock 1850

Reverberation

"How sound reverberates." -Comstock 1850

"...represents a Savart bell and resonator. The length of the resonant air-column is changed by means of the moveable bottom of the resonator, which is to be adjusted by trial for resonant effect." -Avery 1895

Savart Bell and Resonator

"...represents a Savart bell and resonator. The length of the resonant air-column is changed by means…

"Rotate the disk slowly, blowing meanwhile through a tube of about 3/16 inch bore, the nozzle of the tube being held opposite the interior ring of holes. As each successive hold comes before the end of the tube, a puff of air goes through the disk. As the speed of the disk increases, the puffs become more frequent, and finally blend into a whizzing sound in which the ear can detect a smooth tone. As the disk is given an increasing velocity, this tone rises in pitch." -Avery 1895

Siren

"Rotate the disk slowly, blowing meanwhile through a tube of about 3/16 inch bore, the nozzle of the…

"Sound siren used to reproduce the sound generated by the tuning fork." -Avery 1895

Siren

"Sound siren used to reproduce the sound generated by the tuning fork." -Avery 1895

A siren is a loud noise maker. The original version would yield sounds under water, suggesting a link with the sirens of Greek mythology. Most modern ones are civil defense or "air raid" sirens, tornado sirens, or the sirens on emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, police cars and fire trucks. There are two general types, pneumatic and electronic.

Noise Making Siren

A siren is a loud noise maker. The original version would yield sounds under water, suggesting a link…

"Device used to convieniently study musical tones." -Avery 1895

Sonometer

"Device used to convieniently study musical tones." -Avery 1895

A sonometer is an apparatus by which the transverse vibrations of strings can be studied. It is also called the monocord because it often has only one string. On the box are two fixed bridges, near the ends, and at one end is a pulley. A string, often a steel wire, is fastened at one end, run over the bridges and the pulley, and attached to a weight holder hanging below the pulley. Weights can be added to the holder to produce tension in the wire, and a third, movable bridge, can be placed under it to change the length of the vibrating section of the string. A Sonometer demonstrates the relationship between the frequency of the sound produced by a plucked string, and the tension, length and mass per unit length of the string.

Sonometer

A sonometer is an apparatus by which the transverse vibrations of strings can be studied. It is also…

"Apparatus used that will show changes in the flame upon the glass sheet M, when sound is introduced into the tube at A." -Avery 1895

Flame Sonometer

"Apparatus used that will show changes in the flame upon the glass sheet M, when sound is introduced…

"Bow or pluck the string of a sonometer near its end, thus setting it in vibration as a hole. The string will have the appearance of a single spindle as shown, and will sound the lowest tone that it is capable of producing." -Avery 1895

Sound Wave, fundamental frequency

"Bow or pluck the string of a sonometer near its end, thus setting it in vibration as a hole. The string…

"Lightly touch the wire at its middle point with the tip of the finger or the beard of a quill; the wire will vibrate in halves." -Avery 1895

Sound Wave

"Lightly touch the wire at its middle point with the tip of the finger or the beard of a quill; the…

A tin can telephone is a type of voice-transmitting device made up of two tin cans, paper cups or similar articles attached to either end of a string.

Tin Can Telephone

A tin can telephone is a type of voice-transmitting device made up of two tin cans, paper cups or similar…

An example of how to produce a tone. This illustration shows one end of a string fixed to a hook and suspending a weight from the other end. When you pluck the string it causes it to make a musical note, also known as a tone.

Tone

An example of how to produce a tone. This illustration shows one end of a string fixed to a hook and…

"A glass bell is fixed to stand, and beside it is a stand carrying a small ivory ball. This is so arranged that the ball shall just rest against the rim of the glass, Now let the violin bow be rubbed with a lump of rosin, and then drawn steadily over the edge of the glass. A clear musical note will be produced, but the vibrations of the glass will scarcely be perceptible to the eye." -New, 1891

Tone

"A glass bell is fixed to stand, and beside it is a stand carrying a small ivory ball. This is so arranged…

"If a light strip of steel is firmly gripped at one end in a vice and the other end plucked aside, it will, when let go, vibrate backwards and forwards as shown; and if the vibrations are sufficiently rapid, a musical note will be produced." -New, 1891

Tone

"If a light strip of steel is firmly gripped at one end in a vice and the other end plucked aside, it…

"A trumpet-shaped instrument by which the sound of the human voice is reinforced so that it may be heard at a great distance or above other sounds, as in hailing ships at sea or giving orders at a fire. In the United States navy a speaking trumpet is the badge of the officer of the deck at sea... a, tube; b, bell; c, mouthpiece; d, rings for a band by which the trumpet may be attached to the person." —Whitney, 1889

Speaking Trumpet

"A trumpet-shaped instrument by which the sound of the human voice is reinforced so that it may be heard…

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a moment to allow some high overtones to die out. The pitch that a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length of the two prongs. Its main use is as a standard of pitch to tune other musical instruments.

Tuning Fork

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from…

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a moment to allow some high overtones to die out. The pitch that a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length of the two prongs. Its main use is as a standard of pitch to tune other musical instruments.

Tuning Fork

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from…

A tuning fork on top of a hollow box.

Tuning fork and box

A tuning fork on top of a hollow box.

A steel instrument consisting of two prongs and a handle, which, being struck, gives a certain fixed tone; used for tuning instruments, or for ascertaining the pitch of tones.

Tuning-fork

A steel instrument consisting of two prongs and a handle, which, being struck, gives a certain fixed…

An illustration showing the vibration of plates be using a rosined bow and a steel plate.

Vibration of Plates

An illustration showing the vibration of plates be using a rosined bow and a steel plate.

"Grasp one end of a straight spring made of hickory or steel in one end of a vise, as shown. Pluck the free end of the spring so as to produce a vibratory motion. If the spring is long enough, the vibrations may be seen. Lower the spring in the vise to shorten the vibrating part of the rod, and pluck it again. The vibrations are reduced in amplitude, and increased in rapidity. Continued shortening of the spring will render the vibrations invisible and audible; the are lost to the eye, but revealed to the ear." -Avery 1895

Sound due to Vibrations

"Grasp one end of a straight spring made of hickory or steel in one end of a vise, as shown. Pluck the…

"The graphic method of studying sounds, which fairly meets even the exacting demands of physicists, and is largely used by them may be briefly explained thus: Suppose the smoked plate [shown] to be a sheet of smoked paper fastened around a cylinder that is mounted that, when it is turned by a crank, the screw cut upon the axis moves the cylinder endwise as shown. Such and instrument is called a vibroscope." -Avery 1895

Graphic Method of Studying Sounds Using a Vibroscope

"The graphic method of studying sounds, which fairly meets even the exacting demands of physicists,…

This illustration shows the vocal cords as seen from above during phonation (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B. Cricoid Cartilage; C. hyoid bone; D. Rings of trachea; E. Epiglottis; F. Arytenoid Cartilage; G. Thyro-arytenoid muscle; H. Adam's Apple; I. False Vocal Cords; J. True Vocal Cords; K. Ventricle; L. Rima Glottis).

Vocal Cords Seen from above During Phonation

This illustration shows the vocal cords as seen from above during phonation (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B.…

This illustration shows the vocal cords, seen from above during quiet breathing (A. Thyroid Cartilage; B. Cricoid Cartilage; C. hyoid bone; D. Rings of trachea; E. Epiglottis; F. Arytenoid Cartilage; G. Thyro-arytenoid muscle; H. Adam's Apple; I. False Vocal Cords; J. True Vocal Cords; K. Ventricle; L. Rima Glottis).

Vocal Cords Seen from above During Quiet Breathing

This illustration shows the vocal cords, seen from above during quiet breathing (A. Thyroid Cartilage;…

An illustration of various sound waves.

Sound Waves

An illustration of various sound waves.

An illustration of various sound waves.

Sound Waves

An illustration of various sound waves.

"It is apparent that the auditor, in this case, must be placed in the centre from which the sound proceeds, to receive the greatest effect. But if the shape of the room be elliptical, the sound may be made in one part, and the echo will be heard in another part, because the ellipse has two points, called foci, at one of which, the sound being produced, it will be concentrated at the other." -Comstock 1850

Whispering Gallery

"It is apparent that the auditor, in this case, must be placed in the centre from which the sound proceeds,…