The National Library began archiving sound in 1983. With recordings stretching back to 1878 old recording from a concert on an Edison phonograph. It’s remarkable to think that we can hear a sound that was produced in the 1800s and it is thanks to historians and archivists like The National Library that we can learn so much today.
Archiving of course tells us about historical events all the way down to societal habits through voice records and music. However, despite the historical significance it enables us to hold onto personal and intimate parts of history.
Archives allow us to learn and reflect on ways technology has developed and the ethical morality behind the way we record. We can see what was efficient and what was not to advance new technology and methods.
As I move forward within my own work I reflected upon the importance of archiving and realised that I felt that my own work became its own archive. When interviewing my grandma I realised that like everyone she won’t be with us forever. This gave me such a close connection towards what I was recording; allowing me extra purpose to get it truthful and correct. I began with draft recordings of normal conversations beginning with the date and time of where we were recording. Stating the date and time made my sound piece feel like a part of a time capsule.
Overall archiving will forever be important and it is critical that with developments in technology these habits of recording the past do not stop. I will take my piece forward with a sense of achievement towards archiving work, and I will keep and cherish this forever.