Ear phones of the type would have been used hereHeadphones made from metal base, adjustable headstrap made from metal wire with canvas padding. Bradded wire lead with two connector pins, backlight ear padsBrandes Superior. BBC pat pending. Matched Tone trade mark. Made in Englandheadphones, wwii, audio equipment

This wind-up portable gramophone, for 78 rpm discs, was used for home entertainment. It did not require electric power. Includes one record.Wind-up portable gramophone, for 78 rpm discs, in black leatherette box, with needles and 10 inch (25 cm) 78 rpm acetate discColumbia Viva-tonal Grafonola Made in Australiagramophones, phonographs, audio equipment, gramophone records

The Edison Fireside Phonograph Combination Type A model phonograph was an open horn model. This machine was produced around 1909, just after the introduction of 4-minute record cylinders in 1908.; the selection lever on the front was either 4 or 2-minute choice. This Fireside model has a fluted octagonal horn that attaches to the reproducer on the machine and is suspended by on ring by a horn crane attachment. The phonograph machine is powered purely by mechanical means, winding the crank handle on the side of the machine to start the belt-driven, spring-loaded motor inside. The sound comes from a pre-recorded, vertical cut record cylinder, which slides over the Mandle, a smooth rotating drum. The reproducer, an all-in-one needle, amplifier and speaker, is lowered onto the cylinder, the needle picks up the sound and plays it on the speaker and the attached horn amplifies the sound. The phonograph machine was invented by Thomas Alva Edison in the late 19th century. Edison adopted the idea from the technology of the telegraph machine. He patented the phonograph in early 1878. It was able to record sound and play it back. This amazing invention opened up a whole new world of entertainment, where wax cylinders of pre-recorded sound could be purchased with a wide variety of music and played over and over. The first wax cylinders were white and used a combination of bees' wax and animal fax or tallow. By 1892 Edison was using 'brown wax' cylinders that ranged from cream through to dark brown. The Edison Phonograph Company was formed in 1887 to produce these machines. He sold the company in 1855 to the North American Phonograph Company but bought that company in 1890. He then started the Edison Spring Motor factory in 1895, and the National Phonograph Company in 1896. In 1910 the company became Thomas A. Edison Inc. In 1898 Edison produced the Edison Standard Phonograph, the first phonograph to carry his own trade mark. He began mass producing duplicate copies of his wax cylinders in 1901 using moulds instead of engraving the cylinders. The wax was black and harder than the brown wax. The ends of the cylinders were bevelled so that the title's label could be added. The last phonograph machine to use an external open horn was produced in 1912 due to the much more robust round records being invented. In 1913 Edison started producing the Edison Disc Phonograph. The company stopped trading in 1929.This Edison Fireside Phonograph model is significant for being one of the last models to have an external horn. It is also significant for its connection with the invention of the phonograph, which made music and sound available for domestic enjoyment. It was used for entertainment and education, even teaching languages. It signalled a new era of music that could be reproduced and played anywhere. It is also significant for its short time span of popularity, just a few decades, due to the growing use of records, which gave a much higher quality sound and were more robust.Phonograph; Edison Fireside Phonograph, Combination Type, Model A. It is in a wooden case with a domed lid, metal catches on each side and a folding wooden handle. It has a metal drum and a reproducer mechanism. The metal and wood crank handle starts the machine’s motor. A sliding lever at the front selects the speed for four- or two-minute cylinders. The inscribed plate has the maker, serial number, patents and other information. The reproducer also has an inscription. It has a curved metal open horn attachment. Made in Orange, New Jersey in c.1909. NOTE: the fluted octagonal horn is catalogued separately.Case front, in script, Edison’s early ‘banner’ decal “Edison” On the front of the machine “Thomas A Edison TRADE MARK” On the maker’s plate; "Edison Fireside Phonograph Combination Type" Serial number “14718” Around sound outlet; “C 4076” “REPRODUCER LICENCED FOR USE ONLY ON EDISON PHOTOGRAPHS SOLD BYT.A. EDISON INC.” At the front edge “4 MINUTES 2flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, gramophone, phonograph, music player, entertainment, audio equipment, edison, thomas a edison, horn, phonograph horn, amplifier, audio, sound recording, sound playback, phonograph machine, phonograph cylinder, external horn, edison phonograph company, wax cylinders, sound reproduction, edison spring motor factory, national phonograph company, thomas a. edison inc, crank-operated motor, open horn phonograph, 4 speed, 2 speed

This external horn is part of an Edison Fireside Phonograph made in c.1909. The horn was attached to the machine when in use. The rings on the side of the horn allowed the horn to be suspended above the machine. The narrow opening on the horn was attached to the sound outlet on the machine and the conical shape of the horn amplified the sound. The horn was suspended to allow a clear sound. This was done by attaching the ring fitted to the outside of the horn to a chain or chord, which in turn was attached to a curved wire fitted to the phonograph machine. The phonograph machine was invented by Thomas Alva Edison in the late 19th century. Edison adapted the idea used when sending messages over a telegraph machine. He patented the phonograph in early 1878. The phonograph was able to record sound and play it back sound. This amazing invention opened up a whole new world of entertainments, where wax cylinders of pre-recorded sound could be purchased with a wide variety of music and played over and over. The first wax cylinders were white and used a combination of bees' wax and animal fax or tallow. By 1892 Edison was using 'brown wax' cylinders that ranged from cream through to dark brown. The Edison Phonograph Company was formed in 1887 to produce these machines. He sold the company in 1855 to the North American Phonograph Company but bought that company in 1890. He started the Edison Spring Motor factory in 1895 and then the National Phonograph Company in 1896. In 1910 the company became Thomas A. Edison Inc. In 1898 Edison produced the Edison Standard Phonograph, the first phonograph to carry his own trade mark. He began mass producing duplicate copies of his wax cylinders in 1901 using moulds instead of engraving the cylinders. The wax was black and harder than the brown wax. The ends of the cylinders were bevelled so that the title's label could be added. The last phonograph machine to use an external horn was produced in 1912 due to the much more robust records being invented. In 1913 Edison started producing the Edison Disc Phonograph. The company stopped trading in 1929. [NOTE: a phonograph machine plays cylinders, a gramophone plays records]This Edison external phonograph horn is significant for its connection to the c.1909 Edison Fireside phonograph model. The phonograph machine brought a new era of music into the homes of everyday people but was only popular for a few decades due to the growing popularity of records, which gave a much higher quality sound and were more robust.Phonograph horn; open horn, a conical shape with the lower part flaring out. The horn's shape on the opening half is octagonal, made from eight joined sheets of metal with a scalloped finish at the opening. The narrow end is hollow and ready to fit onto a phonograph outlet. There are two rings attached together on the side of the horn, perhaps for storing on a hook. The inner surface of the horn has remnants of deep red paint. This horn is from the Edison Fireside phonograph. (There is a mark on the outside of the horn where the Edison brand would be)flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, gramophone, phonograph, music player, entertainment, audio equipment, edison, thomas a edison, horn, phonograph horn, amplifier, audio, sound recording, sound playback, phonograph machine, external horn, edison phonograph company, wax cylinders, edison spring motor factory, national phonograph company, thomas a. edison inc, phonographic cylinder, sound reproduction

Black plastic rectangular watch with digital display and grey button on front, with the word "Talking" on front. On the back are three small buttons labelled "Mode", "Hr." "Min". The watch is attached to a metal key-ring on chain. 1 black rectangle with grey button and LCD display"Talking" on front of watchassistive devices, audio equipment

A black talking watch with plastic watchband. It consists of a LCD display and voice response. It is stored in a black cardboard box which has instructions on it.LCD watch with black plastic bandAbove watch display: Talking Left hand button below display: Mode Right hand button below display: Talking Upper circular button below middle of display: Hr. Lower circular button below middle of display: Minassistive devices, audio equipment

The Epson HX-20 (also known as the HC-20) is generally regarded as the first laptop computer, announced in November 1981, although first sold widely in 1983. Hailed by Business Week magazine as the fourth revolution in personal computing, it is generally considered both the first notebook and handheld computer. The typist could hear the message and check that it was correct. Used by visually impaired people who could not read Braille. Talking typewriter with brown keys in brown plastic case'Keynote" on left hand side.audio equipment, assistive devices

A machine used to copy content of one master cassette onto another at up to 16 times normal playing speed. Machine is contained in a black vinyl-covered case with the power cord wrapped up into a recess on one side. Black plastic rectangular Telex cassette duplicator with power cord.Telex is embossed on the bottom right-hand corner of the case-lid and front of machine. 'Copyette 1 & 1' printed on top of machine.audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

A talking book player that allowed the user to change the tone and speed of cassettes played in it. Designed to handle both 4 track and 2 track cassettes, these players were the perfect solution to having both commercial (2 track) and recordings for the blind (4 track) materials without needing separate players. Tonal changes in particular were sometimes required by older listeners, as aging reduces the ability to distinguish high pitch sounds. Speed variability also allowed those who read faster to increase narration, and to slow down reading patterns for listeners with acquired brain injury or other conditions that affected cognitive processing of language.Blue plastic rectangular talking book player with buttons for navigational controls and 5 buttons.Model tbci serial no 8017. Machine number: 8157audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Over the years, Clarke & Smith retained the method of using a 'tapete' to store audio material, but changed the players to reflect improvements in technology (both audio and housing). This 'toaster' style model used a combination of components made at it's English factory and overseas suppliers. However compact discs were beginning to evolve and organisations, such as RNIB, wanted more versatility over playback machines.Plastic rectangular cream coloured audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord and 5 buttons (b/c 1010150)Clarke + Smithaudio equipment, clarke and smith

APH began producing it's own line of products to satisfy it's clients, outsourcing the manufacturer to overseas companies. This talking book machine, had an optional carry case, and dials to control tone, volume, speed, front buttons to record, rewind, forward, play, and stop tape. Playing both 2 and 4 track tapes, it also had Braille signs next to some of the buttons.Plastic rectangular light brown audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord, outlets for ear or head phones and black vinyl protective zip up cover Model no. 3-5194A.audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Optacon OPtical-to-TActile-CONverter is a compact, portable reading aid for the blind. It is about the size of a textbook, and weighs less than 2kg. It works by converting a printed image into a tactile image that a blind person can feel with one finger. After a period of training and practice, a blind person can use the Optacon to read ordinary books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed materials. The Optacon was developed after intensive research at Standford University, California, USA and was trialed by clients of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now part of Vision Australia) in 1973. It has three main sections: 1 a miniature camera, 2 an electronics section, and 3 a tactile stimulator array. The miniature camera, about the size of a pocket knife, is mounted in a housing that has rollers for easy movement along a line of print. The camera is connected to the electronics section by a lightweight cable. The electronics section and the tactile stimulator array are in the main chassis. The array consists of 144 tiny metal rods arranged in six vertical columns and 24 horizontal rows. Each of the rods can vibrate independently. The tips of these rods protrude through holes in a concave finger plate where the index finger is placed flat in order to read. These three components act together to convert the image of a printed letter or other shape into a pattern of vibrating rods, a tactile image of the letter or shape. The letter shape is tactually perceived as an image that moves from right to left on the finger, showing the left or leading edge of the letter first. Letters are felt sequentially rather than all at once, and the image should be kept moving. The Optacon converts a printed O into a tactile form that resembles a crater with a vibrating rim -- a completed circle. C would have a gap or opening on the right side of the curve. The letter F would be felt, sequentially, as a vertical line with two trailing horizontal lines. Because it can convert any ordinary printed image into a corresponding tactile image, the Optacon is not restricted to any special typestyle or language. The camera has a zoom lens that compensates for differences in the size of type. The standard Optacon lens can accommodate type sizes from 6 point to 20 point. With the optional F4A magnifier lens, type sizes as small as 4 point can be read. Powered by a rechargeable battery, and comes with its own battery charger. The battery is contained within the main chassis, and is not removable by the user. There are four basic controls on the Optacon: the Magnification Adjustment zoom button located on the camera section on the side opposite the rollers; and the On-Off switch, the Stimulator Intensity Adjustment knob, and the Threshold Adjustment knob located on the right side of the front panel. The Circuit Breaker protrudes from the right-hand wall inside the chassis compartment. From left to right when the back panel is facing you, are located: the jack for connecting the battery charger; the Battery Check button; the Normal-Invert switch; and the Input/Output I/O connector for use with the Visual Display, when using the Repeater Cable to connect two Optacons to one another or with other accessories. Designed not be removed from the leather case during normal operation, the On-Off switch is a slide switch located on the right side of the front panel. It slides up and snaps into place in the on position. 1 black with orange front, rectangular device in leather case assistive devices, audio equipment

The first tape based talking book machine from the late 1950s, produced by Clarke & Smith, that allowed the listener to hear up to 20 hours of recordings. Although bulky (each tape cartridge alone weighed over 2 kgs), the MK1 was the first magnetic, multi-track tape produced and considered quite novel for it's time. The cartridge designed to be played on the Clarke & Smith Model12 Talking Book gramophone was designed to house the pick up mechanism (the phono cartridge which contains the stylus) in the lid, so that visually impaired people could just close the lid to play the record. Initially these players designed to handle only 24 rpm, but soon added 33 rpm and 16 rpm options via the dial located on the left hand corner of the disk base. Directions for using as well as reminders to use on alternating current only are located inside the lid. On the side of the player are two plastic dials: one for turning on and volume, the other for tone.Metal record player housed in a brown wooden carry case, with a speaker grill in the front, two plastic dials on the side and an electric cord extending from the back of the case.Manufactured for Nuffield Talking Book Libraryaudio equipment, clarke and smith

In a room panelled with white boards on a grey wall, two man stand in front of a raised television screen. Both wear name badges, which are unreadable, and are dressed in suits and ties. The man wearing a heavy silver chain around his wrist and glasses presents two white boxes, marked Voice Tapes on the side, to the other man. It is unknown what occasion this was taken upon.royal victorian institute for the blind, audio equipment

Talking Book Machines were used by clients for audio books sent out by libraries for the blind and visually impaired. In this undated photograph, the machine appears to be either a cassette or cartridge player, and the top and cardigan worn by the lady, indicates that this image may have be taken in the 1980-1990s. Talking Book Machines had more features than a regular cassette player, combined with the various speeds used and tone indexing, allowed readers to skip through the book or slow it down.audio equipment, talking books, royal victorian institute for the blind

Three vinyl audio records. 1. Edison - Thick. By the waters of Minnetanka. In the Garden of Tomorrow / Mel Craig's orchestra. 2. 1 sided record zonophone - When I get back to Bonnie Scotland. Harry Layder 3. Brown Aeolian Co. Medley Plantation Songs.audio records, audio equipment accessories

In 1965 the Clarke & Smith Talking Book Cassette Cartridge made it's debut at the Olympia Show. Popularly known as a 'tapete', it weighed considerably less than the earlier book cassette cartridges and allowed for up to 6 tracks (13 hours recording time) to be played.Clarke and Smith talking book cassette cartridge player consisting of plastic rectangular case with buttons for navigational controls, light green front and top of machine and darker green on sides, power cord and 5 buttons. Also includes tapete "Words for murder perhaps" by Edward Candy and ready by Stanley Pritchard.Clarke & Smith Track change Play -- Off Volume Phones This equipment remains the property of the Braille & Talking Book Library, 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra, 3141. Phone: (03) 267 6022 Dyna Tape labels: J21075 Play Rewindaudio equipment, clarke and smith

With the advent of audio content available through i-phones and other small devices, the demand for a dedicated audio, easily portable player for the blind and vision impaired became louder and louder. Two organisations competed to deliver this and Canadian company Humanware developed the Victor Classic as a table top player that relied on discs. As CDs had been introduced into the library some years before, this allowed borrowers to have the advantages of 4 track cassettes within a digital medium. The Victor Reader Classic used simple features that made it easy for clients to navigate through a book or magazine. The player played both DAISY and music CDs. The function keys included controls for variable tone, volume, speed and creation of bookmarks, sleep time and you could navigate by chapter and page on DAISY books. A carry handle is included for ease of use.Grey square object with buttons for navigational controlsaudio equipment, assistive devices

With the advent of audio content available through i-phones and other small devices, the demand for a dedicated audio, easily portable player for the blind and vision impaired became louder and louder. Two organisations competed to deliver this and Canadian company Humanware developed the Victor Stream. A portable hand-held device that could deliver audio content from SD card and was small enough to fit into a pocket or handbag. It could read a variety of formats, such as DAISY, MP3 and txt files, and had a built in voice recorder via the inbuilt microphone or an external one. As part of the trial to introduce new deliver mechanisms for audio content, the Stream was in demand as books could be downloaded directly to it and were aimed at those who were comfortable using the technology with minimal support.Black and silver rectangle with silver buttonsaudio equipment, assistive devices

Produced by General Electric (GE) for American Printing House for the Blind in Kentucky, this player has dials to control tone, volume, speed, side and buttons to record, rewind, forward, play, pause and stop tape. Handling both 2 and 4 track tapes, these players were targeted towards the vision impaired, as it allowed greater freedom to adjust recording styles to suit individual listeners. Plastic rectangular brown audio player with buttons for navigational controls, a handle and black vinyl carry pouch.audio equipment, assistive devices

The first tape based talking book machine from the late 1950s, produced by Clarke & Smith, that allowed the listener to hear up to 20 hours of recordings. Although bulky (each tape cartridge alone weighed over 2 kgs), the MK1 was the first magnetic, multi-track tape produced and considered quite novel for it's time. The cartridge designed to be played on the Clarke & Smith MK1 Talking Book player came in it's own separate container. Each cartridge houses the complete mechanism, track change linkages, replay heads and tape spools, which are stacked on top of each other within the housing. When one track was finished, the user was required to lift the metal cassette, turn it over, and replace it on the turntable. The bulky cartridges were distributed by post or train in strong 'Globite' cases made with reinforced corners and strapped. The costs associated with talking book players were high and individuals/groups/service clubs were asked to sponsor a machine to help those who could not afford to buy or rent one. In this example, a plate attached to the lid indicates who raised the funds: "This talking book/is presented to you/by Tallimba Branch/ of CWA of NSW." Please note: despite images, there are no cartridges with this model.Metal talking book machine housed in a brown wooden carry case. There are two plastic knobs on the front facing right hand side, and an electric cord extending from the back of the case. To the left of the knobs is a speaker grille. Also includes talking book cartridge 'The darling buds of May'.audio equipment, clarke and smith

This Easiplay 2 model was produced by CSI (Clarke & Smith Industries) using a combination of overseas and locally made parts; however demand for compact discs was increasing by this time and the players were not financially viable. After the death of John Clarke in 1997 and the subsequent loss of it's major contract with RNIB, the company was wound up in 2004.Plastic rectangular grey coloured audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord and 3 buttons Clarke + Smith Model 1322 Serial number 9701-0011audio equipment, clarke and smith

The Sound Scriber Dictaphone allowed recordings to be imprinted into a soft disk that could then be replayed later. This was useful for blind stenographers who could transcribe the audio recording. The lid contains a speaker into which sounds are made, the front knob is allows for 'Talk' or 'Listen' and three other dials on the device allow for the tubes to be turned on/off, starting/stopping the turntable and the recording volume to be 'Dictation' or 'Conf". There are two measuring tapes placed near the recording head and the Listen head, which show the minutes in the recording. The large disk that is placed on this machine has been stopped at the 12 minute mark. At the rear of the device are two plugs, one of which is for electrical supply. This model of dicta phone remained popular until magnetic tapes.1 hinged leather case over a metal and wood machineSound Scriberaudio equipment, assistive devices

The Apple IIe was one of the first computers to become popular among blind and vision-impaired users due to its Textalker screen reader and Echo II synthesizer.Beige plastic CPU and keyboard audio equipment, assistive devices