Most microphones translate sound waves into electrical signals using vibrating membranes and magnets, capacitors, or other electrical components. But for decades, audio engineers have dreamed of using lasers to detect sound waves instead.

Now, audio engineer David Schwartz has succeeded. His prototype uses a laser, smoke-filled air, and a super-sensitive photocell to pick up the sonic vibrations in the air and translate them into audio signals.

The resulting recording is, well, not even as good as 100-year-old wax cylinder recordings, but Schwartz says he’s not concerned because it’s just the “talking dog” phase of the project.

“We don’t care if the dog is delivering a Shakespeare sonnet — it’s just the fact that the dog’s talking,” Schwartz told Wired.com’s Eliot Van Buskirk.

Check out Wired’s exclusive video with Schwartz, above — and to learn more, read the rest of our report on Wired’s business blog, Epicenter.

Smoke and Lasers Could Disrupt Microphone Market (Exclusive Videos) [Wired.com Epicenter]