Oldest Known Whale Recording Discovered

Decades-old audio equipment captures haunting humpback whale song from 1949

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:12pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts have discovered what they believe is the oldest known recording of a humpback whale song, dating back to 1949. The recording, captured on a well-preserved plastic disc, not only provides a rare glimpse into how whales communicated decades ago, but also offers a window into the quieter ocean soundscape of that era.

Why it matters

This historic recording could unlock new insights into how whales communicate and how their vocalizations have evolved over time, especially as the ocean has become noisier due to increased human activity like shipping. Researchers say the recording from the late 1940s provides a unique baseline to study the impacts of human-made sounds on whale behavior.

The details

The recording was made by scientists in Bermuda in March 1949 while they were testing sonar systems and conducting acoustic experiments. At the time, they didn't realize the significance of the sounds they had captured. The recording was recently rediscovered by Woods Hole researchers while digitizing old audio archives. The fact that it was preserved on a plastic disc, rather than the more common tape recordings of the era, has helped maintain the audio quality.

  • The recording was made in March 1949 in Bermuda.
  • The recording was recently rediscovered by Woods Hole researchers in 2025 while digitizing old audio archives.

The players

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

A marine research organization located in Falmouth, Massachusetts that discovered the historic whale recording.

Peter Tyack

A marine bioacoustician and emeritus research scholar at Woods Hole who commented on the significance of the recording.

Ashley Jester

The director of research data and library services at Woods Hole who located the well-preserved disc containing the recording.

Hansen Johnson

A research scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium who was not involved in the research but commented on the recording's importance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The ocean of the late 1940s was much quieter than the ocean of today, providing a different backdrop than scientists are used to hearing for whale song.”

— Peter Tyack, Marine bioacoustician and emeritus research scholar

“And they were curious. And so they kept this recorder running, and they even made time to make recordings where they weren't making any noise from their ships on purpose just to hear as much as they could.”

— Ashley Jester, Director of research data and library services

“And, you know, it's just beautiful to listen to and has really inspired a lot of people to be curious about the ocean, and care about ocean life in general.”

— Hansen Johnson, Research scientist

What’s next

Researchers plan to analyze the historic recording in depth to better understand how whale vocalizations have changed over the decades as the ocean soundscape has become noisier due to increased human activity.

The takeaway

This rare recording from the 1940s provides a unique window into the past, offering scientists a baseline to study the evolution of whale communication and the impacts of human-made sounds on these marine giants. The discovery has also sparked renewed public interest and appreciation for the mysteries of the ocean.