Re: [ARSCLIST] articles against the "domesticated" phonograph

[kyle barnett <ksbarnett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

My current research on the "domestication" of the early phonograph 
has lead to some further questions.  I'm a bit stuck at present 
Perhaps the list can help.

In my research on the transition from the phonograph as a public 
amusement to domestic entertainment device, I've found plenty of 
articles by critics, interior design experts, and etiquette experts 
on how to effectively assimilate it into the home, as well as many 
advertisements from companies eager to dissuade fears about the 
effects of this new device, through camouflaging phonographs in 
cabinets done up in various traditional styles.

So, if these critics and these companies were trying assuage fears 
and criticisms, where is the evidence?  Who, if anyone, was arguing 
against the phonograph in the home?  And on what grounds?

Since women were largely viewed as stewards of domestic life, and 
since evidence suggests they often had strong input on buying new 
technologies for the home, I'd think there would be ample evidence of 
misgivings.  There's a growing literature on this (largely focusing 
on women and allegedly work-saving appliances).  But I'm not finding 
much.

Does anyone know of specific articles that speak against the 
phonograph as an influence in the home from early twentieth century 
sources?  Ideally, it would be great to hear from the homemakers 
themselves, but barring that, perhaps there are critics who argued 
against the domestic phonograph?

Initial online library searches (via Readers Guide Retrospective) 
have been unsuccessful.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Best,
Kyle Barnett

----------------------------

Kyle Barnett
Ph.D candidate
Dept. of Radio-Television-Film
& Doctoral Portfolio in Cultural Studies
College of Communication
The University of Texas at Austin