http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bledison.htm
While working to improve the efficiency of a telegraph transmitter, Edison noted that the tape of the machine gave off a noise resembling spoken words when played at a high speed.http://www.cedmagic.com/history/edison-cylinder.html
1877: Edison Cylinder Phonograph
Since the first VideoDiscs were grooved, and CED represents the final chapter in grooved mass media, it's fitting to look back to the origin of this type of media. This is Thomas Edison's tin foil cylinder phonograph from 1877. Edison applied for a patent on this device on December 24th, 1877 and was awarded U.S. Patent No. 200,251 on February 19th, 1878. The Edison cylinder is similar to the CED in using hill-and-dale recording, i.e. media play back is determined by vertical depth within the grooves of the media.