Michael Ashby, a renowned expert in phonetics, discusses the fascinating evolution of phonetics in the 19th century. He highlights the interplay between linguistics, physiology, and emerging recording technologies that transformed the field. Key inventions like the phonautograph and phonograph reshaped phonetic scholarship, making it more empirical. Ashby also covers the establishment of the International Phonetic Association and its focus on linguistic reforms, emphasizing the challenges and cultural biases faced in creating a universal phonetic alphabet.