| Collection |
APH Collection |
| Artist |
General Electric |
| Credit line |
APH Collection, 1992.91. |
| Date |
1974 |
| Description |
Playback-only talking book cassette machine distributed by the Library of Congress; Model C-74 (GE 3-5190); green hard plastic chassis; chrome plated retractible carry handle; black rubber cord is stored inside latched compartment on back along with access hatch for rechargible nickel cadmium battery; black plastic function buttons on front right, marked with raised symbols; "eject" button is blue; two slide toggle switches on left for speed (1 7/8 or 15/16) and side (12 or 3-4); two sliding switches for volume and tone on left; storage compartment on top to left of tape window; jacks on front for headphones, auxiliary in and out, remote control, and an auxiliary speed control; slotted speaker grill above tape door; "Library of Congress, Property of U.S. Government, Division for Blind and Physically Handicapped" are screen-printed in white on top; serial#00507.
|
| Dimensions |
H-3 W-9 D-11 inches |
| Dimension notes |
overall |
| Made |
General Electric |
| Material |
Plastic, aluminum, steel |
| Object ID |
1992.91.2 |
| Object Name |
Recorder, Tape |
| Place of Origin |
Japan |
| Provenance/History |
See 1994.15 for the APH version introduced around 1974. By 1968 the Philips-Norelco-type cassette-tape system became recognized as the industry standard. A pilot study at NLS was begun in July 1968 to test commercially available cassette players for their suitability in the talking-book program. The first cassette machines produced according to program specifications were delivered in January 1971. Under this contract, cassette machines in two models were produced. Although basically similar in design to cassette equipment on the commercial market, these units included some new features to facilitate use by blind and physically handicapped readers. One of the models, of which 9,000 were produced, was a playback-only unit. This unit contained rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. No cassette machines were produced in 1972, as the model designed by General Electric was rejected because it was too big. The C-73, C-74, and C-75 models, produced with funds from those fiscal years, used a four-track system so that a single cassette could provide up to six hours of playback [from NLS website]. |
| Search Terms |
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library of Congress |
| Subjects |
Reading devices for the disabled.
Aids for the blind and visually handicapped.
Talking books.
Tape players. |
| Title |
C-74 Talking Book Cassette Player |
|
