Final answer:
The invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison in the late 19th century brought music into American homes for the first time. It also helped people learn about and play music themselves, while paving the way for future communication and information technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phonograph was an invention by Thomas Edison in the late 19th century that revolutionized the way people accessed and listened to music. It allowed Americans to bring music into their homes for the first time, as it played recorded sound. This introduced a new form of entertainment and enabled people to enjoy music in the comfort of their own homes.
By being able to listen to recorded music, the phonograph helped people to learn about music and even learn to play it themselves. They could listen to recordings of skilled musicians and learn from them, improving their own musical skills. It also allowed people to hear different styles of music from around the world, expanding their musical knowledge.
While the phonograph did not directly allow people to talk over long distances or get the news, it had a profound impact on the way people consumed information and communicated. Its invention paved the way for later technologies like the telephone and radio, which then facilitated long-distance communication and access to news and information.
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