Early recordings always amaze me. It may be because we operate at such a sensory level now with regard to information -- we need both audio and moving pictures, or at the very least, photographs.

The past, seldom has any of the above. So whenever, a "first" is released regarding sound or images, it always bridges a gap between then and now.

The earliest recording found of a human voice was released earlier this year. It is of a woman singing a French folk song in 1860 into a machine called a phonautograph: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/27/france.recording.ap/index.html#cnnSTCOther1

The latest "first" recording purports to contain the earliest computer-generated music: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7458479.stm

Both of these stories include sound clips. The song from 1860 is short and haunting.

Now, if only they could have recorded the smells of 148 years ago -- that would be something.

What do you wish researchers would find a recording of?