NPR Airs Sound Clips From America’s Past

Beginning today and continuing on Fridays through January 2000, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” presents “Lost & Found Sound,” a series of stories and sonic snapshots capturing 20th century American life through recorded sound.

Two segments inaugurate the series. The first, lasting 20 minutes, explores how the spirit, the inventions and the recordings of near-deaf inventor Thomas Alva Edison permeate the culture. Then comes the five-minute “Quest for Sound,” which is literally that. Listeners will be asked to dig into their closets, attics and personal archives to search for family audio histories. Stories will then be built around them.

Later presentations will include the story of Amelia Earhart’s final flight and radio transmission; Armed Forces Network broadcasts of World War II soldiers’ requests for sounds from home (sizzling steak, the foghorns of San Francisco harbor, Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan yell); audio chronicles of life in Memphis before Elvis; and recorded conversations from space to Earth.

“All Things Considered” is heard locally on KPCC-FM (89.3) from 1 to 3 p.m. and on KCRW-FM (89.9) from 4 to 7 p.m. KCRW airs the second hour first; then the full two-hour program--depending on the status of President Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial.