Google Doodle celebrates Emil Berliner’s 167th Birthday

Emile Berliner was a German-born American inventor known for inventing the flat disc Phonograph records and the Gramophone player.

Emile Berliner was a German-born American inventor known for inventing the flat disc Phonograph records and the Gramophone player. He also founded the United States Gramophone Company in 1894. He also designed a lightweight rotary combustion engine for aircraft. Google Doodle is celebrating Emile Berliner's 167th birthday.

Born on May 20, 1851, to a Jewish merchant family, he was one of the 13 children born to Samuel and Sarah Berliner. He graduated in 1865 at the age of fourteen from the Samsonschule. He spent several years doing odd jobs in Hanover to help support the large family.

Berliner moved to the United States of America in 1870 and educated himself in physics with evening classes at the Cooper Union Institute. He was fascinated by the recently invented microphone by Alexander Graham Bell and built his own version with an improved microphone.

His interest in mechanical recording and reproduction of sound led to the invention of the gramophone and which he patented his first gramophone in 1887. His innovation improved the sound quality compared to other Edison cylinders. He later perfected his gramophone and by the mid-1890’s he established various Gramophone companies. His Gramophone was an instant success.

Emile Berliner was awarded John Scott Medal, Elliott Cresson Medal and Franklin Medal for his contribution to the society.

Emile Berliner died of a heart attack at the age of 78 on 3 August 1929 and was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC.