The first permanent photograph appeared in the mid 1820s. If the phonograph had been invented in the same decade, it would have been a century before electrical recording instead of only 30-40 years. Just imagine that.
It also wouldn't be as ironic if you think about it. Photogarphy requries a light sensitve material, where as purely mechancal sound recording is as simple as cutting a groove with a needle attatched to a horn loaded diaphram.