How does a Phonograph tonearm work?

To the average mechanic, it is intuitively obvious! The tonearm pivot is designed to turn >very< easily, and the least sideways force on the stylus from the record groove gently adjusts the angle of the arm. read more

The tonearm is free to rotate, with as little friction as is achievable in its mechanism. The needle rests in the groove with a small amount of downward force (mostly balanced by the counterweights on the tonearm), and rides in the groove when placed there by the operator or automatic-loading mechanism. read more

For precision, the tonearm can be lowered or raised with a lever, but can also be manually placed. On the end of the tonearm is the stylus, the part that actually makes contact with the record and reproduces the sound recorded there. read more

From the time the phonograph was invented in 1877 until it was slowly phased out and replaced by other music media nearly 100 years later, the technology used to play recorded sounds changed only slightly. read more