* 1876: Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone, which is based on the same principles as the musical telegraph.
* 1877: Emile Berliner invents the gramophone, which is the first device that can record and play back sound.
* 1880: Thaddeus Cahill invents the telharmonium, which is the first electronic musical instrument.
* 1891: William Henry Preece invents the theremin, which is the first electronic instrument that is played without touching it.
* 1913: Lee De Forest invents the audion tube, which is the first electronic amplifier.
* 1920: Maurice Martenot invents the ondes Martenot, which is the first electronic musical instrument that is widely used in orchestras.
* 1922: Leo Theremin invents the thereminvox, which is a more portable version of the theremin.
* 1924: Harry Olson invents the RCA Photophone, which is the first sound-on-film system.
* 1928: George Beauchamp invents the electric guitar.
* 1931: Adolf Rickenbacker invents the electric bass guitar.
* 1935: Laurens Hammond invents the Hammond organ, which is the first electric organ that is widely used in churches and concert halls.
* 1940: Les Paul invents the solid-body electric guitar.
* 1941: Igor Ansoff invents the synthesizer, which is the first electronic musical instrument that can create any sound.