The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches

** "The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches" by Florence McLandburgh is a compilation of stories that likely dates to the late 1800s. The initial story, "The Automaton Ear," centers on a driven inventor consumed by the idea of building a device to amplify sounds, hoping to recapture echoes of bygone eras. The tale explores themes of intense ambition, loneliness, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, illustrating the inventor's struggle with creeping madness as his creation takes over his life. Early in the story, we meet the protagonist, a college professor inspired by an idea conceived while reading in nature. He dedicates himself entirely to making a machine to gather every sound. This journey takes him through despair and fixation, punctuated by moments of innovation and optimism. His success in building the device brings both the joy of hearing past voices and a looming darkness that arises from the weight and unpredictability of his creation. **