The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for McLandburgh, Florence (1850–1934).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches" by Florence McLandburgh is a collection of stories likely written in the late 19th century. The opening sketch, "The Automaton Ear," revolves around a passionate and determined protagonist who aspires to invent a device that amplifies sounds, allowing him to hear music and voices from the past. The narrative delves into themes of ambition, isolation, and the quest for knowledge, as the inventor grapples with the possibility of madness and obsession. At the start of the sketch, the protagonist is introduced as a college professor who is inspired by an idea encountered while reading in nature. He becomes fixated on creating an instrument that could capture and magnify all sounds, leading him to experiment tirelessly despite initial disappointments. As he immerses himself in his invention, he navigates feelings of despair and obsession while also experiencing moments of hope and creativity. Eventually, he constructs the device, which allows him to hear echoes of the past, including music and conversations. However, the narrative also hints at a darker outcome as he confronts the burden of his own creation and the unpredictable nature of ambition.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Automaton Ear, and Other Sketches
- Author credits: McLandburgh, Florence (1850–1934)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American fiction -- 19th century
- Short stories, American
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


