The first commercial digital hearing aid was created in 1987 by the Nicolet Corporation. The hearing aid contained a body-worn processor that had a hardwire connection with an ear mounted transducer. While the Nicolet Corporation’s hearing aid was not publicly successful and the company shortly folded, it was able to start a competition between companies to create more effective hearing aids. Two years later, in 1989, the behind-the-ear (BTE) digital hearing aid was launched. In addition to the Nicolet Corporation, Bell Laboratories expanded upon the hearing aid business by developing a hybrid digital-analog hearing aid. When the hearing aid was put on in the market, it was instantaneously successful. This development helped bring major changes to the world of the hearing aid. The next major milestone was creating an all-digital hearing aid. The Oticon Company developed the first digital hearing aid in 1995, but it was only distributed to audiological research centers for research on digital technology in the realm of acoustic amplification. The Senso was the first commercially successful, all-digital hearing aid, and was created by Widex in 1996. After the success of the Senso, Oticon began marketing their own hearing aid, the DigiFocus. Presently, the digital hearing aid is now become programmable. By making the hearing aid programmable, it has allowed hearing aids to be capable of regulating sound on their own, without using a separate control. The hearing aid can now adjust itself depending on what environment it is in and often does not even need a physical volume control button. Square, silver metal hearing aid with electronics and AA battery compartments. Has an ear piece and ear mould attached by wire, with a volume adjustment. A body level type, probably a CALAID T manufacture from 1955 to the 70's. On front "C OF A/CALAID/108499" deaf children australia, hearing aid, calaid, commonwealth of australia

Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of Geelong No. 5 painted with zebra stripes at Belmont 31/7/1955. Photo by Keith Kings. On rear in ink - in top right hand corner, the Keith Kings copyright stamp with number P(b)(3) written in. "Geelong No. 5 "Zebra" painted ends, but without canopy. On car thus. 31/7/55".trams, tramways, geelong, belmont, tram 5

A blue colour card souvenir ticket used by the Australian Electric Traction Association for the pre-opening tour of City, and Northcote Electric tramway on 25/6/1955. Inscription - on front - 'Ticket No. 23', on rear 'combined ticket afternoon and evening.trams, tramways, tramways opening, opening, northcote, melbourne

Set of three documents concerning the MMTB Gratuity or Pension payout scheme. .1 Top half of an A4 photocopied sheet, with a tear off slip, titled "To all employees who elected in 1955 to remain under the provisions of the "old" gratuity scheme", giving employees the option to transfer to the new scheme (see item .3), asking to return the slip by 5/9/1981. .2 - Letter, stencil cut duplicated on quarto paper on MMTB letterhead, dated 9/5/1955, advising Ron Wearne of 31 Soudan Street Malvern that he has elected to remain in the present or "old" Retiring and Death Gratuity Scheme. Typed on Loadable Parchment watermarked paper. Signed in ink by H. A. Warner Secretary. .3 - Printed document on semi gloss paper titled "Notice to Employees Retiring and Death Gratuities" setting out the comparison in payments between the old and the new schemes that was to come into effect on 1/6/1955. Has a comparison of the scales on the rear of the Notice. Dated 31/3/1955 and printed Signed by H. A. Warner Secretary. Added to images 24-9-2016. 2nd copy of .3 added 8/2/2019.trams, tramways, gratuity scheme, mmtb, retirements, pension, notices to staff

According to Les Youie (the editor) this is an example of one of the first newsletters produced by the Young Chinese League for its members.This newsletter is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.One page mimeograph copy of newsletter for members of the Young Chinese League. The newsletter covers both sides of the sheet.Handwritten in blue on the top middle is: 'SAMPLE' and in black: 'Dec 1955'.young chinese league, melbourne, newsletters, community organisations, chinese community organisations, les youie

Book. 3 programmes for performances given at the Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. 1952, 1955 & 1959entertainment, theatre, royal princess, gertrude perry collection, royal princess theatre

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. Chandigarh High Court (1955), Chandigarh, India . (Architect: Le Corbusier.)Made in Australia / 3 / AUG 64M / Encircled 2 (Handwritten) / 3 Underlined (Handwritten)india, slide

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989. Black and white photograph of fourteen PTS 28 nurses. Photo taken 19th October, 1955Photographers stamp bottom R corner L.A. Hughes Hight Street Eaglehawkfourteen pts nurses photo, taken 19th october 1955

Pipe cleaner doll, dressed in green and red costume, mounted on buff cardboard. Written in top RH corner 'Gertrude Perry, to remind you of Nina, 'Wildflower, July 1955' M.W. Small card, not attached, is written 'Wildflower" Nina - Lead 1955.person, individual, gertrude perry

Town of PortlandTwo-page cream card souvenir, folded in centre. Title, date and coat of arms on front page, historical details and toast list on centre pages, autograph page on back. Presentation of the Mayoral Chain, 17th December 1955. Official dinner.souvenir, mayoral chain, presentation

Black and white photograph of Heather Reeves (nee Pain) at her first Easter Band march 1955. All equipment had been paid for - Pipes, Drums and uniforms. Heather was the Pipe Major of the Bendigo Ladies Pipe Band. See 11400.966.photograph, person, heather reeves (nee pain)

Geelong No. 28 outside depot, painted in old colour scheme of green and cream, with side destination boxes and route number boxes. Shows Geelong conversion method of tram, compared to Ballarat. Taken on 21/8/1955. Photo by Keith Kings.K.S.Kings No. K(a)(55) stamped and written on, 'Geelong No. 28 Depot, Note old colour scheme and boxes for colour light and route indication and side destination boxes. 1/25, f5,6 21/8/58' in blue inktramways, trams, geelong, m class, depot, tram 28

Print of drawing R9495, "Proposed Box Car" - with one end and one large central door, high floor - streamliner US PCC approach. Gives side elevation and floor plan. Seats 52 passengers. Prepared 10/1/1955trams, tramways, pcc class, bogie trams, new tramcars, tramcar construction, proposals

HistoricalThis publication is a good example of how staff in Victoria's mental institutions kept up to date with medical and psychiatric information from around the world. The publication contains a series of Papers produced as a result of a Conference regarding Reserpine in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric, Neurological, and Related Clinical Problems. The Conference was conducted by the Section of Biology of the New York Academy of Sciences on February 3 and 4 1955. The cover is tan coloured. The material is similar to a manila folder. Two metal staples. The cover and pages are slightly worn from use. The print is crisp and easily readable. 280 pages.The cover has a plastic sticker reading 377. The inner front cover and front page has an ink stamp reading "Mental Hygiene Authority Central Library, Royal Park 28 Oct 1955". The number 974 is handwritten in ink inside the front cover. The number R1 is handwritten in ink on the front page. medical, psychiatry, medication

Relocation Guthries Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road September/October 1955Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, bridge construction, road construction, 1955-09, bulldozer, graders, kangaroo ground-warrandyte road, l.r bassett pty ltd

Relocation Guthries Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road September/October 1955Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, bridge construction, road construction, 1955-09, kangaroo ground-warrandyte road

Black and white head and shoulders photo of Barbara Fulton. She is wearing a sports blazer and blouse. On the front of the photo is written: 1955 Barbara Fulton Junior Womens 110yds B/K 2nd Vic Countrys. On the back of the photo is written: Swimming Champ.recreations, sports, swimming

Negative No. 283 and colour print made by colour laser printer (stored in folder ) of Y 613 leaving the Batman Avenue terminus 7/5/1955. Photo by Geoff Grant. Hi res scan of negative and image updated 19/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, batman ave, tram y 613

Negative No. 286 and colour print made by colour laser printer (stored in folder ) of Y1 613 on the Camberwell Depot access track, 7/5/1955. Photo by Geoff Grant. Hi res scan of negative and image updated 19/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, camberwell depot, depot, tram y 613

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A Calendar bookmark for 1955 and 1956 published by the Department of Health and the City of Kew. The rear of the bookmark lists the locations of the x-rays (Kew Recreation Hall; St Hilary's Church Hall; North Kew Willsmere Service Station) and the dates when they will take place.health, x-ray, chest xray, bookmark

Invitation to two Anzac ceremonies at St Kilda in 1955: a talk by Lt Gen Sir Horace Robertson and the screening of two films ('The Queen's Colours' and 'Jungle Patrol') in St Kilda Town Hall on 24 April 1955; and a ceremony at the St Kilda Cenotaph on 25 April 1955. Lt Gen Sir Horace Robertson (29 October 1894 – 28 April 1960) had recently retired after a 43 year career in the Australian Army, during which he served in both World Wars and the Korean war.White card printed in black on one side, including City of St Kilda logoanzac day, lt gen sir horace robertson, film - the queen's colours, film - jungle patrol

Eltham-Yarra Glen Road Lower Plenty Footbridge October 1955 (Jolly)Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham, 1955-10, bridge construction, eltham-yarra glen road, lower plenty footbridge

Relocation Guthries Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road September/October 1955 (Bassett)Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, bridge construction, road construction, 1955-09, kangaroo ground-warrandyte road, bulldozer, l.r bassett pty ltd

Victorian Civil Ambulance Service headquarters in Lonsdale Street Melbourne around 1955Black and white photograph. Ambulances parked in front of building.VICTORIAN CIVIL AMBULANCE SERVICEvictorian civil ambulance service

Pattison Collection This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Warrnambool Public Library The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally, the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. A Glastonbury Romance Author: John Cowper Powys Publisher: Macdonald Date: 1955 1st Published 1933 The label on the spine with typed text PAT 823 POW Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, a glastonbury romance, john cowper powys