This radiogram from the early 1970s was donated to the NFSA in 1994 by a Canberra homeowner.

It is an interesting artefact in its own right – particularly for how its combination of radio and record player forecasts the integrated devices we use now.

Together with the vinyl records that were played on it, this mass-produced, everyday object contributes to telling the history of Australian music and the evolution of the recording and playback technology that allowed us to enjoy it.

The teak veneer radiogram has black legs and a gold rack underneath the radiogram cabinet. The unit contains an AM radio receiver and a four-speed automatic record player, which allowed you to suspend records and drop each down automatically as the last finished, without having to get up and change it.

The HMV logo is positioned on the radiogram and each speaker.

Combined Akai X-2000SD reel to reel, cassette and 8 track cartridge player with speakers. General note: Accessories accompany the Akai and there are also two spare cartridges.

The Akai X 2000SD was manufactured in the mid 1970s (circa 1973) and combined the 3 consumer tape formats available at the time in the one unit. The cassette mechanism is beneath the headblock for the reel to reel machine. The 8 track cartridge mechanism is in the right hand side of the machine. All 3 transports are driven from one set of motors. The deck could dub from reel to reel to either cassette or cartridge and had a built in stereo amplifier and 2 x 4" speakers.

Comprises a black metal microphone with chrome head and chrome handle with an opening at the base to screw into a stand. Electrical cord is attached. Red RCA logo in the middle of the chrome head. Operation method: Electric. Manufactured c1940.

Off white portable radio with two small circular dials and HMV logo in centre bottom. Approximate size: 260mmx80mmx160mm. Manufactured 1950.

An early (possibly one of the first) CD players. Top loading via a hinged transparent lid. Aluminium body over black plastic base. Operating buttons on front at an angle. Production 1982. Countries of origin: Australia and Netherlands.

The radiogram has two pull down drawers at the front with a turntable on the left and radio on the right. On either side at the bottom of the radiogram, are curved doors which open outwards and this allows for storage of discs. Operation method: electrical. Manufactured 1950.

Blue and bone leather cased portable broadcast band transistor radio, badged 'His Master's Voice', bone leather carry strap. Battery operated. Manufactured 1965.

'Dictaphone' is a trademarked name, but the term has come to be synonymous with machines used to record the voice.

This incarnation, complete with horn and hose records speech direct onto a wax cylinder.

Manufactured in Australia, circa 1920s. The metal plate on the front reads 'The Dictaphone, trade mark. 19 Hunter Street, Sydney. Phones B2187 – 5716 and at Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide.'

Self-contained light blue record player with bright blue plastic tone arm and speed selector, and a blue slip mat. Plinth is mounted in a blue and white vinyl suitcase. The player was connected to a radio set which provided the amplifier and speaker.

Approximate size: 370mm x 320mm x 130mm. Manufactured circa 1959 in Germany.

This square tin portable gramophone was made for children. It includes a black horn, green felt platter and a wind-up key.

Approximate dimensions with lid open: 160mmx160mmx210mm.

Manufactured in Germany, circa 1920.

Wire recorder made of sheet steel, silver and brown powder coated, including microphone made of brown painted cast aluminium.

Approximate dimensions of recorder: 300mm x 290mm x 230mm.

Approximate dimensions of microphone: 110mm x 70mm x 30mm.

Manufactured in the USA, 1951.

Yellow sports Walkman and Discman. The Discman says on it ;'AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) Groove CD Compact Player'.

Walkman is a Sony brand trade name, and dates back to 1978 when the first Walkman was manufactured in Japan.

Approximate dimensions of Walkman: 120 x 100 x 50 mm. Approximate dimensions of Discman: 160 x 120 x 30 mm.

Made in Japan, circa 1980s.

Silver coloured metal bottom half, metal mesh on top half. Includes a metal holder with which to pivot the angle of the microphone which would attach to a microphone stand.

Approximate microphone dimensions: 100mm diameter x 290mm.

Manufactured in the USA, from 1932.

Hand held black metal microphone with mouth rest. Two gauze protection covers over mouthpiece and black rubber hand grip. Microphone cord is non-detachable from both ends. The cord runs into a metal pre amplifier which is encased in the wooden microphone carry box. Also contains a grey non detachable cord coming from the pre amplifier and which would run from pre amplifier into what is believed to be either a mixing desk or speaker unit.

Approximate dimensions: 295mmx260mmx150mm. Manufactured in Australia.

Portable professional tape recorder contained in a blue carry case with strap. Contains two main reels with a number of dials located on the top and the side. The carry case reads: “Kangaroo Video Pack, La Mesa California”.

Donated to the NFSA by a prominent Australian Sound Recordist, who used this Nagra 4.2 in classic Australian film productions of the late 1970s and 80s.

Approximate size: 350mm x 240mm x 135mm. Manufactured in Switzerland, circa 1970s.

Mahogany coloured Sonora Gramaphone. Lid opens upwards to reveal a green felt turntable with a chrome stylus. The lower doors open outwards at odd angles and incorporate four sections for storage of records (A-D). Central section of gramaphone has crafted pattern. Approximate Size: 485mmx485mmx310mm. Manufactured 1915

The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical polyphonic tape replay keyboard, originally developed and built in Birmingham, UK in the early 1960s.

Contained inside the instrument is a bank of parallel linear magnetic audio tape strips. Playback heads underneath each key enable the playing of pre-recorded sounds. Each of the tape strips has a playback time of approximately eight seconds, after which the tape stops and rewinds to the start position.

This unit features grey-blue chipboard casing with small keyboard and effects dials on left hand side. The unit can be wheeled around on casters. Tapes in this machine were loaded with pre-recorded sound effects used in TV drama production. A description of each effect is written in red pen on masking tape positioned above keyboard.

Two orange hand-operated cassette players with handles. Kit also contains two red and grey plastic hand-operated record players.

This sound reproducing equipment was made to carry Christian teachings to remote and inaccessible locations. As the machines are hand-operated, they can be used in locations where batteries or mains electricity are not available.

Manufactured in Australia, date unknown.

The Edison Standard D model phonograph dates from around 1908 and has a clockwork spring-powered motor. It has been fitted with a recorder head that can play back two-minute cylinders.

Recording on this equipment is a purely mechanical process, with no electricity involved. The performer sings down a metal horn and the energy of that sound is concentrated onto a thin circular mica disc in the recorder head. The vibrations of the disc move a thin glass rod which cuts the spiral groove in the cylinder.

The distance of the performer from the horn is critical; the performer has to be able to hear a reverberant echo coming back out of the horn for there to be enough mechanical energy to cut the groove.