Napa in Napa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Napa - Birthplace of the Loudspeaker and the Magnavox Corp.
Peter Jensen and
Edwin Pridham's
invention occurred at
1606 F St. in May of 1915.
This statue, unveiled
on May 18, 1985
is the work of Napa
sculptor Franco Vianello
Erected 1985.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1915.
Location. 38° 17.942′ N, 122° 17.162′ W. Marker is in Napa, California, in Napa County. Marker is on First Street west of Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Napa CA 94559, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Winship Building 1888 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Semorile Building (about 300 feet away); Old Napa Register Building, 1905 (about 400 feet away); Oberon Saloon (about 400 feet away); Native Sons Hall (about 400 feet away); Napa Courthouse Flag Staff (about 400 feet away); Fremont's Crossing (about 500 feet away); Napa's China Town / Shuck Chan (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Napa.
Also see . . .
1. Ask a Librarian: Magnavox Loudspeaker. The Napa County Historical Society Answers the Question, "Just what is the Magnavox Loudspeaker anyway?"; on the beginnings: ...The first time Edwin Pridham and Peter Jensen tested the loudspeaker, they triggered a deafeningly loud shriek and a crack that sounded like gunfire – what is now called “feedback” and is caused by having the microphone and speaker too close together. The subsequent tests went much better. Jensen and Carl Albertus, one of their lab assistants, ran all over town waving their arms to let those back at the lab know when they could hear the sounds. They added a second speaker and Jensen waited at the top of Cup and Saucer Hill as Pridham spoke loudly and clearly, “Hello, Sacramento, hello, Sacramento. Can you hear me? How is my voice coming in? Do you hear me clearly and distinctly? Hello, Sacramento. If you can hear me, start your bonfire.” Napans all over heard the mysterious voice booming from the heavens, and it wasn’t long before locals were calling the house requesting music. Note that Napa to Sacramento is actually more than 50 miles, as the crow flies (or 60 miles as the crow drives). (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)
2. Napa marks the invention of 'The Big Voice' — the loudspeaker. The Napa Valley-Register's article (May 5, 2015) on the centenary of the invention of the loudspeaker: "One hundred years ago this month, inventors Peter L. Jensen and Edwin S. Pridham shocked locals when they blasted their marvelous new creation -- the loudspeaker — across Napa. The planet hasn't been as quiet since. (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 787 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on February 2, 2021, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.