Vactuphone Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid
The Vactuphone was the first vacuum tube hearing
aid to be commercially produced. It was invented by Earl C. Hanson. He
patented it in 1920. The Vactuphone was
manufactured as a collaborative effort between the Western Electric
Company which manufactured it and the Globe Phone Manufacturing Company
which distributed it. It came to the market
in October 1921.
It was basically a carbon hearing aid using a
single triode Western Electric 205-A peanut tube for amplification. It operated from a
1˝ volt No. 6 dry cell "A" battery and a 24 volt "B" battery. These were
both contained in a large compartment that opened up in the bottom
of the case. Back in 1921, the Vactuphone cost $135.00. |
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Close-up of the front of the Vactuphone earphone.
There is normally a headband that holds the earphone in place (not
shown.)
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Close-up of the earphone showing the inscription on the back, "Made
in USA, Western Electric, Pat. in USA July 23, 1918, D-75384" |
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As you can see, the Vactuphone was not worn on the body, rather it was a
"table-top" model and was larger than a box camera of the day.
The round grill on the side is the opening for the microphone.
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A close-up of the microphone grill. |
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Close-up of the carbon microphone (removed from its normal position
in the "box"). |
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The interior of the Vactuphone with the lid open. The earphone is
stored in the compartment at the top right. The carbon microphone
(black) is visible on the left side, while the volume control is on the
right side.
You can see the top of the peanut tube immediately to the right of
the microphone.
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The Vactuphone used one 205-A peanut tube in its amplifier. |
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Close-up of the on-off switch/volume control, shown in the "Off"
position. When the arrow points at the "On", it is set at full volume. |
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Picture showing the position of the volume control on the outside of
the case. The volume control was on the opposite side of the case from
the microphone so that the person using the Vactuphone could face the
microphone towards the person speaking, and yet have the volume control
facing him for easy adjustment. |
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Name plate affixed to the outside of the Vactuphone
showing the manufacturer's name. |
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Patent tag affixed to the outside of the
Vactuphone showing the patent information. The patent for this hearing
aid was issued on June 15, 1920.
You can see the
patent papers
here.
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