The microphone has come a long way, and the technology used in the very first microphones directly impacted the evolution of the device to become one of the most recognizable and often used pieces of technology in present day. But what else did the technology put into the first prototypes like the ribbon microphone, carbon microphone, liquid microphones, laser microphones among others (read about the history of the technology behind the microphone here) inspire in other well known devices? The microphone is no longer just a sound amplification device, but has impacted technology in multiple fields. Without the microphone and its technologies, for example, would we have speaker phone technologies like Siri in our smart phones? Would our hearing aids be as technologically sound (no pun intended)? Would music stars be able to perform in front of thousands of fans? One cannot fathom the extent of the effects microphone technology has had, but there is no denial, the technology behind the microphone has had a large impact on other devices, as shown below.
Ericsson, a historically significant telephone company, didn't invent its first speakerphone until the 1930's [5]. It wasn't until the 1940's that Ericsson released a model, which had a "separately powered amplifier, a microphone and speaker also placed separately, and a special telephone with extra buttons for switching between talking via the loudspeaker and microphone or speaking through the handset" [5]. While according to Ericsson, this device was very cumbersome and had problems with sound and reverberations, this shows one of the many impacts that the microphone has had on technology in history. This evolved from here to being a vital function on every telephone and cellular device in the world. Speakerphone technology adapted from the microphone is everywhere in today's society, from walky talkies, to speakerphone in cars, to public announcement systems in schools, etc.
The microphone technology found in early speakerphones, pa systems, walky talkies, etc. have ultimately led to the advanced technology found in smartphones like Siri. Siri, one of the first "personal assistants" on a smartphone, made its first debut in 2010, originally as an iPhone application [6]. iPhone then bought out the company and introduced it as the major advancement in the iOS5 update in 2011 for the iPhone 4S and above.
The microphone technology found in early speakerphones, pa systems, walky talkies, etc. have ultimately led to the advanced technology found in smartphones like Siri. Siri, one of the first "personal assistants" on a smartphone, made its first debut in 2010, originally as an iPhone application [6]. iPhone then bought out the company and introduced it as the major advancement in the iOS5 update in 2011 for the iPhone 4S and above.
Another technology impacted by the microphone that not only is an amenity, but drastically improves life quality, is the hearing aid. About 20% of people age 12 or older have hearing loss severe enough to make communication difficult [3]. Using technology found in the telephone and carbon microphone, (which Thomas Edison discovered through a failure [19] in 1878 in Menlo Park, New Jersey) the hearing aid was invented in the early 20th century, but not decently portable until the mid 1920's [8]. Without the crucial technology found in the carbon microphone, millions of people who benefit from hearing aids may not have that same comfort today.