J.R.R. Tolkien — using a tape recorder for the first time — reads from 'The Hobbit' for 30 minutes in 1952

Above, part 1 of 2; below, part 2.

YouTube description: "When Tolkien visited a friend in August of 1952 to retrieve a manuscript of 'The Lord of the Rings,' he was shown a 'tape recorder.' Having never seen one before, he asked how it worked and was then delighted to have his voice recorded and hear himself played back for the first time. His friend then asked him to read from 'The Hobbit,' and Tolkien did so in this one incredible take."

[via Open Culture]