Wire Recording

The wire recorder was first developed at the end of the 19th century, and the technology became more widely known and used by the military during World War II. The very first wire recorder was invented by Danish engineer Valdemar Poulsen in 1898, and the device was known as the „Telegraphone.”

The operation of the wire recorder was similar to that of later tape recorders, but it used a thin, flexible steel wire as the recording medium. Sound was recorded and played back electromagnetically as the wire passed over a recording and playback head. One advantage of wire recording was that the wire was extremely thin, allowing for long recordings in a compact format.

Wire recorders were primarily used during World War II for intelligence and military communications because they were reliable and portable. After the war, wire recorders were briefly used in civilian life, particularly by radio stations and reporters, before magnetic tape technology completely supplanted them.

The „Beocord Studio Wire Recorder” was an early steel wire device manufactured by Bang & Olufsen (B&O), a leading producer of audio and video equipment founded in Denmark in 1925. The company was known for its high-quality, innovative designs. The Beocord series designated the company’s recording devices, and the „Beocord Studio Wire Recorder” was one of the earliest such products.

The „Beocord Studio Wire Recorder” was particularly popular in professional studios and radio stations, where its excellent sound quality and long recording time were significant advantages.