Timeline: Computer Project

1665

First Transmitting Sound Device

Robert Hooke developed a device that set us on the path for amplifying sound. In 1665, he attached an acoustic cup to a string.

1876

First Microphone

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the first microphone. It consisted of a wire which conducted electrical direct current.

1881

Efficient Telephone

Francis Blake became the standard for Bells telephone system. It was standard for years because it was efficient in modulating telephone signals

1886

First Practical Carbon Microphone

Thomas Edison invented the first carbon microphone that was used for radio transmissions. They were used until 1970 when piezoelectric ceramic elements replaced them.

1887

Inspired by Bell

Emile Berliner got inspired by Bells design. In 1887, it was pattented by Emile.

1916

Condenser Microphone

A condenser microphone was developed by E. C. Belle in 1916. These were uses for the first motion pictures, and radio broadcasting.

1931

Dynamic Microphone

In 1931, Wente and A. C. Thuras of Bell Laboratories came out with a microphone that is still in use today. There took no power to run it, and it has lower noise that other microphones in use at that time.

1931

Ribbon Microphone

Many people loved the ribbon microphone produced by RCA in 1931. They claimed it was the most natural-sounding microphone yet.

1933

Crystal mic

Rochelle salts or piezoelectric crystals, C. M. Chorpening and F. H. Woodworth, found out that when struck by sound waves, they vibrated and created electrical currents. They created the ceramic or crystal microphone in 1933.

1957

First Wireless Microphone

Raymond Litke filed a patent for the first wireless microphone in 1957. It was designed for radio, television, and higher education.

2000

Microphones in Devices

Microphones appeared in devices throughout the 2000s. Miniature mics included wearable devices.

2010

Eigenmike

This was a microphone made with several microphones that were high-quality, arranged on a sphere. This allowed sound to be captured all directions.

2023

Recording Microphone

In the future, many people have predicted that microphones will hang over spaces to be able to pick out one distinctive voice. Squarehead Technology AudioScope is a device that hangs over a court in order to hear a player talk.

2029