Leon Scott
Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville (1817–April 26, 1879) is best known for inventing the phonautograph, the earliest known sound recording device (which, unlike Edison's similar and later invention, was unable to play back the recordings it made).
References
- Schoenherr, Steven E. "Leon Scott and the Phonautograph" (15 Jan. 2004). http://history.acusd.edu/gen/recording/scott.html (accessed 20 Mar. 2004).