Was the earliest portable object of recording a slab of rock?
825496
I know that the earliest recordings of writing were found on cave walls, circa 25,000 - 30,000 years BP, but as far as portable objects on which to record communication ... I would say that you are partially correct in saying a "slab of rock." \n\nNine thousand years ago in the neolithic fertile crescent, we find counting tokens, small pieces of rock on which were inscribed symbols to convey messages -- these were quite portable and widely used. \n\nThen, around 4100 BCE, these small pieces of rock started to become the "slabs of rock" we see depicted, with more and more symbols. \n\nHope this helps! Good luck! :)
650841
If you don't count the abacus, which is ancient, then Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical computation machine in France in 1642. Check it yo!\n\nhttp://www.thocp.net/hardware/pascaline.htm
657605
They found a rolling stone....
748283
In 1956 IBM invented the first computer disk storage system, the 305 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control).  This system could store 5 MBytes.  It had fifty, 24-inch diameter disks.\n\nthis is a picture of the 305 RAMAC (1 ton for 5 MB storage capacity)\nhttp://duggmirror.com/hardware/First_Computer_with_a_5MB_Hard_Drive_Photo/
9477
Im not sure but I believe that there is something cryptid out there. Why don't you hang a camera somewhere you might be finding it to record or capture the beast's picture?
931611
um...a hard drive in a digital camera? interesting. MAYBE you cant find it because it does not exist!
131479
Nick Lowe: They Called It Rock\n\nIt can probably be found on many records, but it was originally released on album Jesus of Cool (1978).
641872
A piece of pottery or a stone tablet with some variety of pictogram!\nThat’s normally the first thing you see the archeologist pull from the runes is a piece of pottery. That’s what comes to my mind anyway!
156192
A device that was named the "Antikythera mechanism" bc discovered in 1900 in a sunken ship just off the coast of Antikythera, an island between Crete and the Greek mainland. It was dated to approximately 80 BC.\nGiven the age there is reason to believe that archimedes or his disciples might have been involved with developement of this device. But, at a minimum, the answer is the ancient greeks. It is as sophisticated as the babbage computer and was used to predict the positions of the sun moon and palnets on any date.
256963
fuel from compressed bio-material (or fossils)
314741
A Microcassette Recorder.  Most of them are in the $20-$30 range nowadays, and they're about the same size as a cellphone.\n\nIf simply holding the recorder near the cellphone doesn't result in clear enough recordings, try adding a simple suction-cup microphone.  These are widely available, and fit in place on the reverse side of the earpiece end of the phone.  As long as the cellphone (or regular phone, for that matter) are "Hearing-Aid Compatible" (as most are) this should work.\n\nThat can also be used for recording a live phone conversation - and thanks to the 'feedback' utilized in phones, will record both sides of the conversation.\n\nThe necessary recorder and mic can be found at discounters such as Wal-Mart, if you're confident enough to look for it on your own.  If not, try a store where the sales help has a bit of knowledge - such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, or Circuit City.
895728
no\nwhen i was younger...that was the only way you Could record music\nsad but true
975189
You can start from a basic Sony minidisc recorder and stereo mic if you're just looking to get simple, one-take demos for a ballpark of $100. The next step up would be a portable hard-disc recorder , though this will cost you about $600 for the most basic setup without the CD burner. The next step up is a new computer and entry-level software.
171606
Sorry Richard, my search didn't turn up much.\nArtifact-An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest.\nAnthropologists cite early pre-homo sapiens people as being tool using so it would reason that there is an artifact from 1-2 million years ago.  The Paleolithic Age (1 million years ago to 10,000 BCE, besides being a huge rnage of time, saw the first humans and with them the ability to pass on knowledge through the development of language.  These early humans were true hunter gathers andmost artifacts pertain to this seeking of food(Idaho link below).  The end of the Paleolithic  age also saw the start of religions in the world and one can find artifacts suggesting early religions (japan link below)\n\nJapan-http://www.trussel.com/prehist/news194.htm\nIdaho-http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1120314&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
727564
a pin-hole camera (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinhole_camera)\nor kaleidoscope (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaleidoscope)\nmay be interesting projects.
25764
Kinda\n\nPhilo Farnsworth invented the Cathode Ray Tube and Image Dissector, which, combined, made for the first wireless picture transmission.  He did so in the late 20s (culminating around '30) at his research lab at 303 Green Street in San Francisco.
903024
a microphone\nand maybe a driver (disk)\nbut probably not