Is this tinfoil original?

[TinfoilPhono]

Many such tinfoils were sold, but not for practical purposes such as dictation. They were novelties, used for demonstrations or experiments. Sound recording was brand-new and everyone was fascinated that such a miracle was even possible.

Tinfoil phonographs are actually very simple, but all crude. They showed that sound recording was possible. That was hugely exciting for spectators, but the novelty wore off quickly. It would take another 10+ years for the phonograph to make a major advance toward practicality.