Charles Sumner Tainter
American inventor and businessman
About Charles Sumner Tainter
Lived 1854 – 1940 (aged 85). Charles Sumner Tainter was an American scientist, inventor, businessperson and engineer, known for Phonograph and Photophone.
Charles Sumner Tainter (April 25, 1854 – April 20, 1940) was an American scientific instrument maker, engineer and inventor, best known for his collaborations with Alexander Graham Bell, Chichester Bell, Alexander's father-in-law Gardiner Hubbard, and for his significant improvements to Thomas Edison's phonograph, resulting in the Graphophone, one version of which was the first Dictaphone.
During this time, Tainter worked with the Bells on several inventions, amongst them the photophone and phonograph, which they developed into the Graphophone, a substantial improvement of Edison's earlier device, for which Tainter received several patents along with the Bells.
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Charles Sumner Tainter?
American inventor and businessman (1854–1940)
When was Charles Sumner Tainter born?
Charles Sumner Tainter was born on 25 April 1854 in Watertown.
When did Charles Sumner Tainter die?
Charles Sumner Tainter died on 20 April 1940 in San Diego.
What was Charles Sumner Tainter's occupation?
Charles Sumner Tainter was a scientist, inventor, businessperson and engineer.
What was Charles Sumner Tainter known for?
Charles Sumner Tainter was known for Phonograph and Photophone.
What nationality was Charles Sumner Tainter?
Charles Sumner Tainter was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Charles Sumner Tainter
· DBpedia: Charles Sumner Tainter
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles Sumner Tainter. https://biography.guide/charles-sumner-tainter/
MLA: "Charles Sumner Tainter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-sumner-tainter/.
Chicago: "Charles Sumner Tainter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-sumner-tainter/.
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