Research Project – Biography 3 – Philips Electronics

Philips

            In 1891, Gerard Philips (maternal cousin of Karl Marx) founded Philips Electrics in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The preliminary products produced by Philips were light bulbs and other electro-technical equipment. Years later, they would branch into vacuum tubes and a radio broadcasting station. When the second World War came around, the company caught wind that the German troops would soon invade the Netherlands. Worried for their safety and success, the directors decided to leave the country, taking a large amount of the company capital to the United States.
            Following the war, Philips returned to the Netherlands to reestablish themselves. Many of their research facilities had been kept secret and hidden from the Nazi troops while they occupied the Netherlands, allowing Philips to recover quickly post-war.  Not long after reestablishing themselves, Philips produced the first compact cassette tape in the early 1960’s, to much success. Though originally created to aid journalists and court stenographers, as the technology progressed, the cassettes were used as a substitute for the vinyl record. With the invention of their cassette tape, they also introduced a radio with a built-in cassette player/recorder – later to be known as the “Boom Box”. With the wild success of the cassette tape, Philips began expanding their production to include the first home video cassette recorder (VCR) in the 70s, as well as set the groundwork for the compact disc. By 1982, Philips joined with Sony to produce the first compact disc. This disc was capable of storing over an hours worth of information, as well as play it back with better quality than any recorded medium before.
            Philips’ contribution to audio and recording technology would forever change the world. With their introduction of cassette tapes, to their creation of the compact disc (with Sony), they established themselves at the forefront of this technological field. Their contributions would further progress into  DVDs and DVD players. Their work also allowed for combined media. Through their discovery and production of advanced recording technologies, they created a way in which mediums can be combined – such as sound + visual (DVDs), multiple – though not continuous – sounds (CDs), and information storage (memory CDs).

Work Cited
“Compact Disc.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 17 Nov 2009, 03:42 UTC. 17 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Compact_Disc&oldid=326285879>.

“Philips.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 13 Nov 2009, 10:50 UTC. 17 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philips&oldid=325600984>.

Research Project – Biography 2 – Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison
 

            “[Thomas Alva] Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 U.S. patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. He is credited with numerous inventions that contributed to mass communication and, in particular, telecommunications. His advanced work in these fields was an outgrowth of his early career as a telegraph operator. Edison originated the concept and implementation of electric-power generation and distribution to homes, businesses, and factories – a crucial development in the modern industrialized world.”
            Edison is undeniably one of the most ingenious inventors of the late 19^th, early 20^th century. His work ranged from electricity to radiology to audio recordings. In fact, Edison was credited as the original inventor of the phonograph. Though the theory regarding sound recording was originally proposed by French scientest Charles Cros, Edison was the first to produce a working model. He named it the “phonograph”, an audio recording device capable of recording and replaying sounds. He would recount his discovery as “experimenting…on an automatic method of recording telegraph messages on a disk of paper laid on a revolving platen, exactly the same as the disk talking-machine of to-day. The platen had a spiral groove on its surface, like the disk. Over this was placed a circular disk of paper; an electromagnet with the embossing point connected to an arm travelled over the disk; and any signals given through the magnets were embossed on the disk of paper.” He proclaimed that such an engraving, if played on another phonograph, would recount the same telegram verbatim. He demonstrated his model’s capabilities on November 29, 1877 and it was patented on February 19, 1878. Edison’s early designs recorded the sounds onto tinfoil sheet, wrapped around a grooved cylinder – the sound being recorded by indentations made into the foil.
            Edison’s invention of the phonograph led to many other audio-related inventions. The tinfoil formatted phonograph recordings were replaced by vinyl records. Vinyl records were eventually replaced by electro-magnetic tapes, the short lived 8-tracks, and, later on, compact discs. By shedding the light on audio recording, turning sound waves into physical computations, Edison set the theoretical ball of audio technology in motion.

 

Works Cited:
“Phonograph.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 16 Nov 2009, 16:13 UTC. 17 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phonograph&oldid=326177481>.

Research Project – Biography 1 – Apple (Computers) Inc.

Write your first project essay and post it to you blog:
Biography Essay
Write and create an essay about 3 people who had an important impact on and played a major role in the history of your media technology. This could be an inventor like Edison, a businessman like Sarnoff, or a scientist like Tesla. If there is no significant individual, write about the most important companies. Make sure to cover what their contribution was and how important they were to the development of the medium. A brief paragraph about their background is also necessary.

Apple Computers
             Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computers, Inc.) was established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 (later incorporated on January 3, 1977). Founded by Steven Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple (Computers) Inc. began selling the first commercial computers. In the years following, Apple expanded their industry to personal computers, laptops, “digital cameras, [CD players], speakers, video consoles, and TV appliances”. In more recent years, they have created and expanded laptop computers (their version known as the “Mac”), as well as mp3 technology.
            One of their most notable inventions in my technology topic (music) is the iPod. A portable music player, the iPod revolutionized music. The player was nothing more than empty memory. To put music on the player, one had to first “burn” the desired music onto their computer from the compact disc its information was stored on. From there, the information would be transferred to the iPod and now be accessible through the player. Organized much like a computer, the music was categories by listed artist, album, genre, etc. This player became the new standard for music listening. Its easy-to-use format, its ability to hold multiple CDs, and its ability to shuffle and customized caused it much success and resulted in a restructuring of the music industry.
            The iPod caused the industry to move away from CD sales and towards MP3-file sales. The iPod’s music program (for Apple’s Mac computer), known as iTunes, began to feature a “iTunes Store” option. This allowed users to purchased the latest music immediately (via debit or credit card) and download it to the customer’s personal computer, to be uploaded to their player. Files could now be shared much more easily between users this way (though some might considered this illegal).
            Apple, Inc. did not only revolutionize how people listened to music, they also revolutionized how people interacted with music. Through their software program “Garage Band”, Apple allowed the common user access to recording and music manipulation software. A common Mac user was now able to record vocals and instrumentals, as well as synthesize these recordings, using nothing more than their Mac laptop. With all the inventions and innovations of Apple, Inc. – the music industry and music recording itself became much more affordable and accessible to the common user.

 

WORKS CITED:
“Apple Inc..” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 17 Nov 2009, 11:41 UTC. 17 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Apple_Inc.&oldid=326330471>.

TechLAB: Computers + Research Project Blog

TechLAB: COMPUTERS
The world would be an entirely different place without computers. People would rely so much more on their own brainpower versus the comprehension of the computer’s “mind”. Businesses and everyday life would move at a much slower pace. Technologies such as iPhones, GSP, MP3 technology (and many more) would not be at all possible without the invention of computers. Information storage would be reduced solely to books and personal records. Medicine and healthcare itself would be lightyears behind where they are today. Life without computers is nearly inconceivable to modern minds. Life would be an entirely different thing than we know it as today.

“Final Research Project (ongoing, remainder of semester)

Each student will be responsible for creating a research project on a media technology.  You already chose a media technology to focus on – it can be anything that could be considered a “media technology”. Decide whether or not you want that to be your topic, or if you want to change. On your blog, write a brief paragraph or two about why this topic is interesting to you and why it’s important to examine and present as your final project.”

The media technology I chose to study for the research project is Music Technology. I personally find the topic very interesting, as I am frequently using this technology. I am very intrigued as to how exactly sound is recorded (and was recorded over the past century) and transformed into digital information, to be played back perfectly. I am curious to see how sound manipulation works (such as synthesizers,etc.), as well as musical overlay (when the vocals, instrumentals, etc are all recorded separately and combined together). I find this topic is important to examine because music is literally integrated into almost every media outlet out there (or has the potential to be). Understanding how music recording and sound technology works allows one to better utilize it in future endeavors.

Life in 1941, Life in 2009

“Write two entries, the first, imagining what your life might have been like if you lived in the year 1941. The second, about your life in 2009. You can be creative and write like a journal entry from the perspective of anyone you want OR you can write it more like an observational essay. For example, you could be an inventor writing about an invention you want to create, or someone using a new invention. The idea here is to get your head around how technology has transformed our society and what life was like in different time periods. Utilize the timeline you created with your group to get a sense of what was available to people at different times.”

— 1941
Tina said she was gonna call me sometime today. We are supposed to go on a date later tonight and still have to work out the details. I’ve been sitting around the house all day and still no call! I had a bunch of errands I was supposed to run – all over town, mind you – but im stuck here waiting for the call. I’d have my mother get it but she’s a receptionist at my father’s office – so no one is around to answer if I’m not! Arghhh this is so frustrating! If there was someway to carry the phone with me – my life would be so much simpler!

– 2009
So my day got started around 10am. I’ve called Tina about our date, we’re going to dinner and a movie. I texted the restaurant to make a reservation and have double checked the movie times on Yahoo! Movie. I went to the gym and was making a conference call with my Bluetooth while lifting weights. I must not have been paying close attention because I dropped one of the weight donuts on my foot while I was putting it away. I google searched remedies for injuries and realized ice + an aspirin was my best option. I sent an email using my phone to the local pharmacy ordering some aspirin and refilling my prescription of another medicine that’ll be ready for pickup in an hour or two. I then emailed the local pizza place with my order and paid online. I’ll pick up my pizza right after I get my prescriptions. It’s 11am and I’ve already had a very productive hour.

Question Set 5

1. What forces drive media to go digital?

Convenience, Economic Imperative and Deregulation.

 

2. What does bandwidth mean?

A bandwidth refers to the number of bits that can be transmitted per second.

 

3. What are the characteristics of a bit?
Bits are the “smallest atomic element in the DNA of information”. They have “no color, size or weight, and (it) can travel at the speed of light”. It is represented by series of 1s and 0s, and those series translate into information.

 

4. What does “digitizing” mean?

Digitizing refers to transforming information into series of 1s and 0s (basically, into bits).

 

5. What is a string of 8bits called?

A string of 8bits is referred to as a “byte”.

 

6. What are two merits of digitization that Negroponte discusses? Please describe each.

Data compression and error correction are two merits of digitization that Negroponte discusses. In terms of data compression, it allows higher resolution of sound and image to be sent, resulting in better quality. As for error correction, the digitization corrects things such as “telephone static, radio hiss, or television snow”. It basically transmits the data more smoothly, with less interruptions in information flow.

 

7. What are the different types of transmission media? Describe the pros and cons of each.

Radio, television and the Internet are all transmission medias. For radio, it allows people in any given area to hear the transmission. However, it is very easy to disturb the broadcast since it is transmitted over radio waves. For television, it allows millions of viewers to watch any program being shown. However, one must have the proper equipment (cables, antennas, etc.) to watch the programming – as the television itself is not self-sufficient. As for the Internet, it connects users all across the world and allows information to be sent and received. However, one must have the proper equipment and a means to connect to the Internet.

 

8. Explain what compression is.

Compression is when the file size is reduced, yet still delivers the same high quality as a larger file would – allowing for faster transmissions of data while retaining quality.

 

9. What does Negroponte mean by “commingled bits”?

Commingled bits are when “bits get mixed up and can be used and reused together or separately”. An example of this would be a transmitted television program with sound.

 

10. What are the inherent benefits about having bits about bits?

Having bits about bits (or “headers”) allows one to select through the information they are being presented with. Things such as numbered audio tracks allow you to skip through a CD without having to listen to every track in order, continuously. Basically, these “headers” break up the information so one can identify and sort through the information much easier.

For October 30th

“Write an entry imagining what your life might have been like if you lived in the year 1850. You can be creative and write like a journal entry from the perspective of anyone you want OR you can write it more like an observational essay. For example, you could be an inventor writing about an invention you want to create, or someone using a new invention. The idea here is to get your head around how technology has transformed our society and what life was like in different time periods. Utilize the timeline you created with your group to get a sense of what was available to people at different times.

– My name is unimportant. My idea for an invention, however, is too important! Well.. my future invention. I haven’t made it quite yet, I am still working out the kinks. However, it will revolutionize life. I have figured out a way to record sound and play it back! Can you believe it?? I have found a way to turn audible sounds into information that can be played back to get the same sound every time! Just think, you could listen to “Brother Speaks in Whispers” by Ben Covert whenever you wanted to! This invention will be huge! You’ll be able to have private concerts in your drawing room – no more need to travel miles and miles to see someone perform! You’ll also be able to listen to it whenever you want – another bonus! People will be able to hold music in their hands, and enjoy it on THEIR time. This invention will also allow musicians to record their music and sell it for profit. Just think, no more starving artists! My invention will revolutionize the world and sound as we know it.. now.. if only I could build it..