World’s oldest whale song recording from 1949 rediscovered: Early humpback audio reveals quiet oceans of the past

Researchers have discovered the oldest known audio recording of a whale song, made in 1949 off the coast of Bermuda. As reported by Associated Press, the recording features a humpback whale and was recovered during the digitisation of archival material at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States. The audio was originally captured during tests of sonar systems conducted in cooperation with the US Office of Naval Research. At the time, scientists did not recognise that the sounds were produced by a whale but preserved the recording. The recording is stored on a plastic disc, which has allowed it to survive, unlike many magnetic tapes from the same period.The recording provides not only the whale’s vocalisations but also background ocean sounds from the late 1940s. The recording was found during a digitisation project aimed at preserving archival materials. As reported by UNN, it was stored on a 1940s-era dictaphone disc. Most magnetic tapes from that period had deteriorated, making this disc a rare surviving example. Scientists reportedly identified the vocalisations as those of a humpback whale.At the time of recording, the purpose was to test sonar systems, and the whale sounds were not anticipated. The recording was preserved despite the initial uncertainty regarding the source of the sound. UNN reports reveal marine bioacoustician Peter Tyack noted that the recording captures the background noise of the ocean in the late 1940s. Researchers intend to use this archival material to compare past and present ocean soundscapes. Modern oceans contain increased noise from shipping, industrial activities, and sonar systems, which may affect whale communication.The 1949 recording provides a reference point for the natural acoustic environment before the widespread increase in anthropogenic noise. Check out the video from WHOI of the earliest preserved whale song that was rediscovered. Humpback whales are also famous for their complex songs, which are used for communication, mating, social bonding, and even navigation. Scientists believe that comparing this song, recorded in 1949, with current information could help them study the changes in vocal behaviours and patterns over time, revealing how these majestic creatures adapt to environmental pressures. Researchers also believe that this could help them in finding more effective ways to conserve humpback whales, monitor population health, and understand how increasing ocean noise, created by human activity such as shipping and industrial development, affects their communication and overall wellbeing.Archival recordings from the mid-20th century are rare, as many older recording media have deteriorated. The 1949 humpback whale song represents one of the earliest preserved examples of marine bioacoustics. Preservation and digitisation allow for continued study and comparison with modern recordings.The discovery demonstrates the value of archival data in understanding long-term changes in ocean environments and marine species’ behaviour.