Cunningham Township in Urbana in Champaign County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sound on Film

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

1. Sound on Film Marker

Inscription. The first public demonstration of sound recorded simultaneously with pictures on film took place at the Urbana campus on June 9, 1922. Joseph T. Tykociner's double-feature motion picture included ringing a bell and reading the Gettysburg Address. The invention was not patented. The first commercial talking film in 1927 used a phonograph, and Tykociner's invention was only later recognized. It is still used for sound on film.

Erected by University of Illinois.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Illinois series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1922.

Location. 40° 6.648′ N, 88° 13.671′ W. Marker is in Urbana, Illinois, in Champaign County. It is in Cunningham Township. It can be reached from West Green Street east of South Wright Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the east side of Everitt Laboratory, about 125 feet north of West Green Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1406 W Green St, Urbana IL 61801, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Theory of Superconductivity (within shouting distance of this marker); Quantum-Well Laser (within shouting distance of this marker); Understanding Photosynthesis (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Illite and Clay Mineralogy (about 600 feet away); Natural History Building (about 700 feet away); John Milton Gregory (about 700 feet away); Multiphase Fluid Dynamics (about 700 feet away); Computer-Based Education (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.

Also see . . .
1. Joseph T. Tykociner: Demonstration of Sound on Film Technology. This film shows Joseph T. Tykociner's sound on film apparatus and gives a description of its

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

2. Sound on Film Marker

method of operation. Much of the original sound has been restored in this film. (Joshua Harris, Illinois Media Space, Sept. 20, 2016) (Submitted on June 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Today in 1922, Illinois professor showed how movies could talk. Tykociner's wife Helena uttered the first sounds ever heard in a motion picture: "I will ring," followed by the sounds of a bell. (Meaghan Downs, "Illinois Featured Content" blog, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, June 7, 2017) (Submitted on June 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Joseph Tykociński-Tykociner (1877-1969) image. Click for full size.

Bain News Service via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), 1920/25

3. Joseph Tykociński-Tykociner (1877-1969)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on June 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.