title: When mobile communication technologies were new.
abstract: In the 19th century, mechanical hearing aids opened up new possibilities for controlling sound waves and managing conversations. Components and ideals from these acoustical instruments became part of the foundation for electroacoustics, the conversion of sounds into "signals". Mechanical hearing aids also set lasting standards for portability and unobtrusiveness in the design of personal communication technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of the History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Claudia Cohen Hall Suite 303, 249 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. mamills@sas.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000266:history*; D003638:Deafness / Q000266:history*; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans