The first known spoken-word recording was introduced to the world by Thomas Edison through the invention of the phonograph. Originally intended for a visually impaired audience to read without exertion, the first known recording was a recitation of the English nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by Edison himself. The inclusion of a children’s nursery rhyme since the genesis of such an invention has become significant in observing the rise and success of the audiobook industry and its direct impact in increasing literacy proficiency in children. 

Interactions between children’s literature and the history of the audiobook have been many since Edison’s initial recording. Within this broad and rich history, I will focus on the fascinating story of Caedmon Audio. Formerly known as Caedmon Records, the company founded by best friends and Hunter College undergraduates Barbara Holdridge and Marianne Roney later Mantell began as a business partnership aiming to remediate the work of great living authors through voice recordings.

Join me as I recount the vibrant timeline of this company and their interesting foray into children’s literature and their hand in creating a market niche for audio formats in children’s books.