A history of dedicated voice technology devices, part 2

We start our history series of dedicated voice technology devices with a look at the 1950s, 60s and 70s

While Elvis Presley and The Beatles were creating a music revolution, technology kept coming up with new ideas to inspire more new ideas.

But recording wasn’t just for music, it was also everywhere in technological developments. It meant that valued information would persist beyond paper and we could store more information faster than ever before.

1951

The first video tape recorder was invented1
and while not exactly “compact” it set tape in motion as the recording medium for the next 40 years.
The first Philips brand dictation machine was introduced. A leap in miniturization, it fits nicely on a desk.

1954

1957

Philips produces the first cassette-based dictation machine bringing ease-of use to the masses
The invention of the Mini-Cassette and introduction of the Pocket Memo take miniturization and match it with economies of scale.

1966

1971

The floppy disk was invented2 starting the shift from analog recording to digital
The first email was sent3 creating a whole new way to communicate.

 

Now that we could produce affordable and practical recording devices and mediums, they could be used by everyone, everywhere, at anytime. But with these new solutions came new problems.

Find out what happened in the 1980’s and 90’s here.

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Leave a comment below if you have any memories of the technological revolution of the 50s 60s or 70s.

1. http://fiftiesweb.com/pop/inventions/
2. http://inventors.about.com/od/timelines/a/modern_3.htm%5D
3. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-first-ever-email–the-first-tweet–and-12-other-famous-internet-firsts-181209886.html%5D

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