From 22nd to 24th February, “Gramophone and Radio Exhibition” was held at Sharp Museum in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.

Mr. Taizo Arakawa, a member of the British Vintage Wireless Society and a member of the Museum of Communication (Edinburgh), introduced us into the history of gramophones.

Mr. Taizo Arakawa, retired employee of Sharp

In addition, Mr. Arakawa also exhibited a number of historically valuable audio devices that he has personally collected, which attracted a lot of interest, revealed in the arrival of nearly 250 people in three days.

Mr. Arakawa explaining the development of the gramophone using an actual machine

Exhibiting a number of valuable equipment

The hall was attended by a wide range of enthusiastic audiophiles, including elderly people who yearned for the sound source of records and children who listened to the sound from the spring gramophone for the first time.

The participants looking around and peeking into the demonstration of playing a record on the gramophone

In addition, we also set aside time for the customer’s records to be played on the gramophones on display. A person brought a record of an old comedy dialogue, and explained the background of the comedy, sharing unexpected discoveries with the audience.

The records owned by the participants themselves were actually played with the gramophone. There were new discoveries with each other, such as explaining the records themselves

Before and after the exhibition, the participants observed the Sharp Museum and learned about our company history.

Mr. Arakawa was very happy that many participants were enthusiastic about seeing the gramophones and radios during the three days and enjoying the sound of the records. In particular, the sight of small children standing in front of a 100-year-old gramophone and listening to the music while listening to it, seemingly feeling something, gave hope toward the future.

In addition, there were many participants enthusing radios and gramophones, and one person had a collection more than on exhibit . Mr. Arakawa too enjoyed the event by interacting with these people and sharing memories and stories while listening to each others’ records.

The world’s first radio broadcast began in the United States in 1920, and this year commemorates the 100^th year.

Radio broadcasting started in Japan in 1925, and in April of the same year, our company succeeded in assembling the first home-produced crystal radio set and contributed to the spread of radio broadcasting.

Japan’s First Crystal Radio (1925)

This time, we are very happy that we could share the sound of the gramophone that will not fade over 100 years. It was an honor to welcome nearly 250 customers who visited the Sharp Museum, Mr. Arakawa who sympathized with this project, and the members who were involved in the operation together. This project was brought up with our company retired employees supporting the operation of the Sharp Museum always, such as by responding to the visitors’ explanations. This continuous connection with our retirees is a strength of our company and also part of our pride. Seeing our retirees continuing their research and openly sharing their findings also serves as a perfect role model for me.

At the Sharp Museum, we are permanently exhibiting various products including World’s first and Japan’s first products, such as the crystal radio and television sets. We will look forward to seeing you at Sharp Museum some day, hopefully in the near future.

Information on exhibition facilities: Sharp Museum (Tenri)

https://global.sharp/corporate/info/gallery/