I came across a 1962 article about a finger-powered phonograph that played Scriptures in 40 languages. Does anyone still make this kind of device?
– John, via e-mail
In the late 1950s, the American Bible Society devised the finger-fono, powered by the turn of one finger. The finger-fono produced sound through a diaphragm (an acoustic device) and a needle located in the arm, and required no electric power, spring or mechanical device. It was made of plastic, inexpensive to produce, easy to ship and practical for use in all climates. The purpose of the finger-fono was to make the Scriptures available to people who could not read.
The American Bible Society continued to distribute finger-fonos until the mid-1960s, when communications and technology had improved and more areas had access to electricity.
