Here’s more interesting history, courtesy of Archive.org. This odd little record, comprised of a poorly-played coronet solo and maniacal laughter, was one of the top-selling records of the 1920s. There is no dialog, just the coronet solo, laughter, and a few audible belches. It spawned a host of imitators, as other labels released their own versions based on the same formula. The popularity of laughing records in the 1920s spilled over into old-timey country music as well. Sadly, the influence was not an entirely positive one–there are numerous recordings of excellent old-timey fiddling sullied by conspicous, phoney-sounding chortles.

I don’t know who the performers are. They are anonymous on the record label, which mereley says “The OKeh Laughing Record”.

The OKeh Laughing Record was added to the National Recording Registry in 2003.

Okeh-OkehLaughingRecord.mp3