Ready to step back in time? Join Sound Files in an exploration of The Great 78 Project, a major initiative by the Internet Archive to preserve hundreds of thousands of fragile shellac discs (aka “78s”). We meet folks like preservationists George Blood and Brewster Kahle who are working to preserve old records by making them digital. The project brings jazz, blues, and forgotten voices back to life. You’ll also meet educator Jason Luther. Along the way, hear about how they’ve perfected the digitization process with fancy turntables and multiple needles, and why preserving these fragile sounds matters for history, music, and culture buffs everywhere.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. High-stakes legal challenges are shaping the future of access to this treasure trove of sound. Major publishers and preservationists don’t necessarily agree on the best ways to provide access to the preserved recordings. The episode wraps up with the latest update in this battle: after a long fight, the matter was settled out of court. Still, the work to preserve and share history continues, and we continue to face big questions about access, control, and the sustainability of cultural memory.
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Episode Credits
Sound Files is presented by the National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving recorded sound history with generous support from the University of Michigan School of Information and other NRPF supporters. Learn more or make a donation at www.recordingpreservation.org.
Jesse Johnston, creator of Sound Files and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, hosts the podcast. Teresa Carey is the senior producer, editor, and creative lead for Morse Alpha Studios, which produced this podcast. Writing is by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, editing by Jacob Pinter, field production by Erin McGregor, and sound engineering by Steve Lack. Original music by Evan Haywood.
