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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 381 913 EC 303 859 AUTHOR Fitzpatrick, Vicki, Ed. TITLE Machines That Make Books Talk. INSTITUTION Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. PUB DATE 94 NOTE 21p.; Photographs may not reproduce well. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) Collected ::arks Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT Projects & Experiments; Fall 1994 EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Audiotape Recordings; *Blindness; History; Library Networks; *Physical Disabilities; Research Projects; *Talking Books; *Technological Advancement IDENTIFIERS *National Library SerN.'ce for the Blind ABSTRACT This paper describes playback equipment provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's Talking Books program. The history of these machines is reviewed from 1933 to the present and includes activities during World War II, the introduction of flexible discs and cassettes, descriptions of a variety of machines (with photographs), and accessories. Opinions of users are summarized. The machine production process is also described from original conceptualization through determination of specifications, bid solicitation, building and testing of prototype and samples, ongoing manufacture of the product, and troubleshooting. Discussed in some detail is the contracting process for the manufacture of the machines and the inventory and maintenance processes implemented through machine-lending agencies around the country. One section looks at international cooperation in the exploration and standardization of future talking-book technology. Noted are current research efforts of the National Library Service which focus on the development of digital original mastering. Assumptions and requirements of a possible new talking-bo K system are listed. Some sections provide references. (DB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION jec Office of Educational Research and Improvement 0- EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) document has been reproduced as V(his received from the person or organization Ex originating a 0 Minor changes have been made to improve 111 reproduction Quality Fall 1994 Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessanly represent officiet OERI position or policy 0.Y f 0 , The Library& Congress National Library Service ON for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 00 achines t at make books t 1k )- For more than sixty years, blind and physi- ing brittle, shellac records that held only fifteen minutes of audio material per side to to- cally handicapped Americans have had ac- Projects & Experiments cess to recreational reading material through day's lightweight, portable machines play- is published on an occa- the NLS program that gave rise to the term ing pocket-sized tape cassettes that each sional basis to summarize hold up to six hours of material. A profusion "talking books." For many people unable to and provide in-depth see the printed word or handle printed of machines has come and gone over the information on technical books, the advent of recorded reading mate- years, with ever-increasing acceptance developments and long- rials and the equipment on which to play among readers, until the realization of the range projects of the them was the key to the intellectual freedom current models that are, by all accounts, National Library Service they now enjoy. Braille continues to he the truly "user-friendly." for the Blind and Physi- basic medium of literacy for blind individu- Along with talking-book machines, NLS cally Handicapped (NLS), alsbut almost all visually handicapped developments include a variety of accesso- Library of Congress. ries to meet a wide range of needs and to as- readers, including those proficient in braille, get information and reading pleasure from sist with specific disabilities. Headphones talking books. for private listening, pillow speakers and re- Evolution of technology has clearly been mote control units for less mobile individu- the guiding force characterizing the develop- als, extension levers for those with limited ment of the talking-book programfrom hand strength, and solar-powered battery the original thirty-pound phonographs play- chargers for people living in remote loca- tions are now among the devices available to help meet diverse user needs. Other refinementssuch as voice-index- ing, which, through a sophisticated process t of placing spoken index terms in precise lo- 1. cations to provide audible voice cues when the cassette is fast-forwardedhave ex- tended the usability and practicality of recorded material for reference and other pur- poses and have tremendously enhanced the usefulness of such items as cookbooks in recorded form. Always at the center of this evolution has been the talking-book useran individual who might be a child or an adult, might be a I V'Irn-4. laborer or a professional, might be retired or doing supplemental reading for school. With patrons of every age group, widely diverse interests, and differing capabilities, NLS is challenged to provide equipment that can satisfy 'most, if not all, individuals. This challenge is confronted daily and will no doubt continue to determine the course of NLS provides patrons a wide range of talking books and playback future evolution. (equipment, including just the right book for relaxed summer read- Judith Dixon ing on the deck. 2 BEST COPY AVAILABLE rojects Experiments Fall 1994 History of tallking=book machines The Program The National Library Service for the Blind and Physie-illy Handicapped of the Library of Con- gressi...olishes books and magazines in braille and in recorded form on discs and cassettes for Early years and 1934. Such a talking-book repro- readers who cannot hold, handle, or see well The history of talking-book machines ducer weighed thirty pounds and meas- enough to read conventional print because of a goes hand-in-hand with the develop- ured fifteen inches square by eleven temporary or permanent visual or physical handicap. ment of the commercial recording indus- inches deep. It was available in either Through a national network of state and local try. Thomas Edison envisioned recorded an electrically driven or hand-cranked libraries, the materials are loaned free to eligi- books for blind people as a potential model. The reproducer was equipped ble readers in the United States and to U.S. citizens living abroad. Materials are sent to readers use for the phonograph machine he in- with controls that varied speed, tone, and returned by postage-free mail. vented. It was not until the 1930s, how- and volume. ever, that research caught up with the Books and Magazines Readers may borrow all types of popular-inter- notion. Edison's first sound-reproducing WPA program est books including bestsellers, classics, myster- machines used a vertically moving sty- The original playback machine was pro- ies, westerns, poetry, history, biographies, lus and rotating cylinders coated with religious literature, children's books, and for- duced in quantity under the aegis of eign-language materials. Readers may also sub- tinfoil, wax, or hard rubber. Each indi- AFB for approximately $30 apiece. Be- scribe to more than seventy popular magazines vidual cylinder had to be recorded sepa- fore 1935 AFB sold machines to certi- in braille and recorded formats. rately. Flat-disc phonograph machines fied patrons, and charitable groups Special Equipment male mass production possible, but the raised money to buy machines for pa- Special equipment needed to play the discs and medium had serious drawbacks: the trons who could not afford them. Dur- cassettes, which are recorded at slower than conventional speeds, is loaned indefinitely to read- twelve-inch records played for only five ing the depression years, there were few ers. An amplifier with headphone is available minutes per side and were heavy, expen- people who could afford a talking-book for blind and physically handicapped readers sive, and easily broken. reproducer. At that time, AFB recom- who are also certified as hearing impaired. Other devices are provided to aid readers with The American Foundation for the mended that machine production be un- mobility impairments in using playback ma- Blind (AFB) set out to solve these tech- derwritten by the federal government chines. nical problems. The first machines they through its economic recovery program. Eligibility developed for the talking-book program President Franklin D. Roosevelt expe- You are eligible for the Library of Congress pro- used commercially available motors dited the plan to include the project un- gram if: that played at 33-1/3 rpm because mo- You are legally blindyour vision in the bet- der the Works Progress Administration ter eye is 20/200 or less with correcting tors at that speed were already available (WPA). The Library of Congress (LC) glasses, or your widest diameter of visual for radio station use; ordinary phono- agreed to sponsor the project, albeit field is no greater than 20 degrees; graphs for music records still played at reluctantly because production and You cannot see well enough or focus long enough to read standard print, although you 78 rpm. Recording books at the slower ownership of record players seemed wear glasses to correct your vision; speed required fewer of the heavy unconventional functions for a scholarly You are unable to handle print books or turn vinylite records. institution. pages because of a physical handicap; Or, you are certified by a medical doctor as The first ialking-book machines were AFB handled the details of the WPA having a reading disability, due to an organic put into the hands of readers in 1933 project, which was set up at a plant in dysfunction, which is of sufficient severity to prevent reading in a normal manner. How to Apply Acronyms You may request an application by writing NLS or calling toll-free 1-800-424-9100, and your name will be referred to your cooperating li- LCLibrary of Congress AFBAmerican Foundation for the brary. Blind ML,Asmachine-lending agencies BPHICSBlind and Physically Handi- NCBI National Council for the Blind Projects & Experiments is published occasionally by: capped Inventory Control System of Ireland National Library Service for the CBMscassette-book machines NLSNational Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped CDcompact disc Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 CNIB--Canadian National Institute for PC pe'3onal computer All correspondence should be addressed to the the Blind QASQuality Assurance Section, NLS attention of Publications and Media Section. To DATdigital audio tape RFP--Request for Proposals change address or cancel subscription, please en- EPROMelectrically programmable close mailing label. RNIBRoyal National Institute for the read-only memory Blind Editor: 'Vicki Fitzpatrick ESEngineering Section, NLS rpmrevolutions per minute IFBInvitation for Bids Writers: Jane Caulton, Judith Dixon, Ruth TARPTechnology Assessment and Nieland, Ed O'Reilly, Freddie Peaco, and IFLAInternational Federation of Research Program George Thuronyi Library Associations TBMtalking-book machine ipsinches per second Printed using recycled paper WPAWorks Progress Administration 3 2 xperiments rojects Fall 1994 the lid of the carrying case. New York City. Unemployed white-collar In the 1950s further progress came in the workers performed under the direction of a form of a slower recording speed of 16-2/3 skilled, enthusiastic crew, and the opera- rpm. This speed allowed twice as much mation soon became very productive. terial to be recorded on each disc. At the World War II same time, playback machines were designed to be smaller and lighter. The sound World War II brought an increase in talking- quality of the machines also improved book users because of the number of mili- greatly during this period, with the introduc- tary personnel blinded in the service of their tion of better speakers, needles, and tone country. LC sent talking-book machines to arms. rehabilitation centers, army hospitals, and prisoner-a-war camps to meet the increased Flexible discs demand. Special arrangements were made A new element was introduced in 1968 with so that each of more than 1,000 wounded the advent of the flexible disc. The first such servicemen could have a talking-book ma- disc was a recording of the NLS magazine chine waiting for him when he was dis- Talking Book Topics, which was bound into charged. The talking book became an the large-print bimonthly listing of recorded effective aid in rehabilitation. books. This experimental recording proved This heightened interest in the talking- popular, and NLS began using flexible discs book program sparked a reassessment of for other direct-mail magazines in the pro- playback equipment. In 1945 a committee gram. Research showed the new format to met and suggested improvements in sound be sturdy and inexpensive to produce. reproducers, which were essentially of the An early talking-book In 1972 NLS produced its first flexible- same basic design used since 1934. Among machine, model 10 or disc book, Arthur Hailey's Wheels. It wasn't new features incorporated were a permanent long before flexible discs of bestselling 11, circa 1935. playing needle, a tone arm that was automat- books became available. These flexible-disc ically placed on the record by a push-button recordings are produced economically and control, improved tone quality, standardized reach consumers quickly. parts, and an eight-inch speaker enclosed in 'Bilking-book machines All program machines are, of course, talking-book machines: they play recorded books for patrons to read. However, the term was first used for record playersthe earliest program machines and it continues to be used to identify those players, as well as being used for program machines in general. All current models of talldng- book machines (TBMs) are ca- .. pable of playing rigid and flexible discs at 8-1/3, 16-2/3, and 33-1/3 rpm (revolutions per Overseas talking-book machines are minute). These machines are not equipped identical to the standard TBMs except that with a battery and can be playe.d only they contain a rechargf,able battery and when plugged into an electrical out;ct. The have a variable-speed control. The over- newest model, the A-1, includes a variable- seas machines can use 110-120 or 220- speed control; earlier models do not. 240 volt current. These machines are TBMs are designed so that eligible readers loaned only to American citizens who live may play any disc materials available to in countries using the higher voltage. them including sources other than NIS. 3 4 rojects Experi eats I Fall 1994 0 1 Cassettes By 1973 demand for players quickly ex- In the late 1950s and early 1960s, even be- ceeded supply, and NLS procured 30,000 fore a proven system was on the market, machines built to its own specifications. The NLS began research into cartridge tape sys- new C-73 used a four-track system that al- tems suitable for the talking-book program. lowed for six hours of playback time per cas- The goal was to design an easy-to-operate, sette. The machine accommodated tone-in- inexpensive, lightweight machine that could dexed tapes and had a built-in AC adapter. play tapes housed in a cassette that did not The 1970s saw the development of fur- have to be threaded like an open-reel tape. ther enhancements to the cassette machines: To avoid copyright infringement problems, an automatic-reverse cassette deck, recessed NLS wanted a special format that would pre- switches, and a tape-motion sensor that shut vent tapes from being copied and used by off the machine when the cassette take-up noneligible persons. reel stopped. Engineers also developed a Early prototypes were tested in the number of accessories such as a solar power 1960s, but they were too complex and re- panel, a remote control switch, an extension quired many adjustments for successful op- lever system to allow easier operation for eration. By 1968 tape cassettes and players persons with limited manual dexterity, and were widely available commercially and at headphones for private listening. a low cost. NLS field tested machines that A study conducted in 1974 recommended operated at 1-7/8 ips with tape recorded on the full conversion from rigid discs to cas- two tracks. The responses were so enthusias- settes and flexible discs. The gradual tic that NLS added cassettes to the talking- phaseout of rigid discs began in 1978 and book program shortly thereafter. The greater was completed with the production of the portability of the cassette players and their last rigid disc book in 1986. low cost compared with talking-book ma- By 1981 NLS contracted for the C-1 cas- chines made them very attractive. It was pos- sette machine, which was similar to pre- sible to envision that the talking-book pro- vious models except for minor modifica- gram would soon concentrate on cassettes tions and improvements. The machine rather than on rigid discs and to focus re- features fast-rewind and fast-forward capa- search activities accordingly. bility, end-of-tape sensors, a switch that al- By 1971 NLS began circulating books on lows the reader to select which of the four cassettes throughout the regional library sys- tracks should be played, a variable-speed tem. NLS purchased commercially pro- control, and tone and volume controls. duced cassette players modified to play two speeds (15/16 ips and the commercial stand- E-1 (Easy) cassette machine ard of 1-7/8 ips). The players were adapted In 1977 NLS conducted a study of blind and for monaural rather than stereo playing and physically handicapped persons who were marked with raised characters for ease of op- eligible to use the talking-book program but eration by blind people. did not participate in it. The survey con- Casselie machines These are portable playback-only units capable of playing two- and four-track cassettes at 15/16 and 1-7/8 ips (inches per second). They are equipped with a rechargeable battery and a variable-speed control. Standard cassette-book machines (CBMs) enable readers to use materials recorded in commercial as well as NLS formats. Overseas cassette machines are identical to the standard cassette machines except that they operate on 220-240 volt current as well as on batteries. The machines are 40. loaned only to American citizens who live in foreign countries using this higher voltager rojects L 1 Aperiments Fall 1994 E-1 (Easy) cassette machine This machine is extremely easy to under- stand and to operate. It is smaller than the standard cassette machine and will operate only when plugged into an electrical outlet. There is no battery. When the cassette is placed in the machine, it rewinds to the beginning of side one and begins to play automatically. If un- disturbed, the machine will switch sides when necessary, playing all four sides with a single insertion. During this process, the tape may be stopped at any point by sliding back the cassette door, moving the volume control to the "off' position, or un- again, the volume control is moved to the plugging the machine. The machine will "on" position, or the machine is recon- resume playing at the same place on the tape when the cassette door is closed nected to an electrical outlet. were unable to operate the standard players eluded that many eligible persons did not or were uncomfortable with their operation. use the program because of disabilities that The E-1 represents a revolutionary depar- prevented them from operating a cassette ture from previously produced cassette play- player. A further study in 1981 stated that ers. It has only two main controlsa sliding many elderly persons felt they could not switch and a push button, both located at the manipulate the controls of the machine. NLS began developing a simplified cas- front of the machine. Moving the sliding switch to the right starts the tape and selects sette machine named the E-1, or easy ma- the volume. Thus stop, play, and volume are chine, in 1980. Production difficulties de- layed release of the machine, but in 1985 combined in a single control. Although simple to operate, the E-1 is ac- the first 1,000 E- I s were issued for field testing. By 1986 the E-1s were in full produc- tually a very complex instrument that uses microprocessor technology to control the tion, and 40,000 of these simplified machines were made available to readers who various functions. Combination machine tures cf the standard cassette machine. It This machine can play both cassettes and can play both two- and four-track cassettes at 15/16 and 1-7/8 ips. The machines will, discs. For playing cassettes, it offers all fea- if the reader chooses, switch sides of a cassette automatically. For playing discs, the combination machine has several features not found on the standard TBM: variable-speed control, fast forward, and rewind. The tone arm is equipped with a device for locating the edge. of the disc and the grooves leading to the edge of the recording. The tone arm cannot be raised; it is removed from the disc by pressing down, which retracts the needle, preventing damage to the disc. This tone arm design makes it possible to close the cover of the machine with very little change to the needle's position on the disc. The combination machine weighs approximately fifteen pounds and comes with or without a rechargeable battery. 5 Ex eriments roj ects Fall 1994 Combination machine machine would use some technology being NLS began studying the feasibility of pro- developed for the E-1. ducing a machine that could play both cas- Many modifications were made to the origi- settes and discs as early as 1973. Such a nal design of the machine as a result of exten- machine would be ideal for persons with sive field testing by patrons from regional and limited space who needed both playback ca- subregional libraries. The machine's electri- pabilities. Work on the design and engineer- cally programmable read-only memory ing of such a machine began in 1977, and a (EPROM) microprocessor chip was adjusted rough prototype was available the following to meet the needs of readers, and other sugges- year. Before going ahead with further work tions have affected the machine's design. The on the combination machine, NLS decided first production models of the combination that developing the E-1 machine should take machine were released in 1992. George Thuronyi precedence, partly because the combination Accessories without them. The model 510 headphone Accessories are provided for patrons who must be used with the amplifier. need additions or modifications to program Pillowphones. A pillowphone, to be machines. The following accessoees are placed under the reader's pillow, is avail- currently available. able for those handicapped persons who Amplifiers. Special amplifiers are avail- read in bed. The sound normally can be able to eligible readers with a significant heard only by the reader. The pillowphone hearing loss. Because the sound is boosted can be used with any kind of NLS play- to a level that could cause permanent hear- back equipment. ing loss to a person with normal hearing, a Extension levers. Extension levers are separate application requiring medical cer- provided for cassette readers who have dif- tification is necessary. The amplifier is de- ficulty manipulating the key controls on signed to be used in conjunction with NLS the standard cassette machine. headphones on any kind of NLS playback Solar panels. Solar panels are used to re- equipment. Issuing and inventory control charge batteries for the standard cassette are handled directly by the NLS equipment machine. Panels and accompanying battery control officer. packs are available on permanent loan to Headphones. Headphones are available patrons living in areas without electricity to persons who require them to use the or on a short-term basis for trips to wilder- service without disturbing othersfor ex- ness regions. ample, persons in institutions, students, Remote control and breath switch. those in community-living situations, and These devices are for readers with limited others with demonstrated need. Distribu- manual dexterity. The remote control turns tion of headphones is restricted to patrons machines on and off. The breath switch is who would be unable to use the service an option. Extension levers Amplifier and headphones Pillowphone Solar panel with battery pack Remote control and breath switch 6 Experiments Projects Fall 1994 Users speak out Other reading preferences cited included current events, such as professional journals and magazines; community and social information, including organizational newsletters Since the talking-book disc player was intro- and notes from meetings; study and instruc- duced to the NLS program in 1934 and the tional materials, textbooks for courses, mu- cassette player was issued in 1971, they Patrons quoted in this sic instructions, and recorded instructions have been regarded as the most basic and article include for new appliances or other items. tangible program element to the readership A data analyst for the Goddard Space of now more than 700,000. Both machines Flight Center, John Bogert, pointed out that, have undergone considerable technological while not all his reading materials come change, generally becoming smaller, lighter, from the talking-book program, it is because and more exactly tailored to the needs of of the program and its playback equipment visually and physically handicapped indi- that patrons have access to such a large as- viduals. sortment of information. Says Bogert, For many patrons, these machines still "Time is always a benefit to having access provide their primary source of information to information. The exposure to information and communication, and the standard cas- including can be used in all aspects of life, sette player is the machine of choice. Gloria Sussman work. It gives you a resource to the world. In interviews, several patrons indicated Well-formatted material is invaluable for that they use the disc player primarily for checking references and understanding con- reading magazines and would rely totally on text." the cassette player if magazines were re- Most patrons said they use their equip- corded on cassette. They also believe, how- ment daily, for an average of three to four ever, that the wide selection of magazines hours. Says one patron "I am not sure how I available to them makes having the disc would fill my hours without talking books." player worthwhile. Freddie Peaco Patrons all strongly value the cassette player, especially its portability. They enjoy being able to move it from room to room in About patrons and Bruce Spiro their homes and to use it outside in the back- machines . . . yard or park. They also use it while travel- ing locally and on vacation. One patron took attitudes are 9 Patron needs and her cassette machine with her on a trip to fundamental to the planning and Europe. development of all NLS materials, "I am in my late sixties. I lost my sight including machines. Therefore, in my mid-fifties, and I feel I should have patrons are constantly involved in the learned braille. Since I didn't, I have to rely process through surveys, membership on listening so much and I am interested in on advisory committees, and testing so many things," said Gloria Sussman, a re- Qa of prototypes, as well as through tired music teacher. "The cassette player is informal feedback to network library John Bogert my lifeline." staff. The patrons interviewed use their cassette of thirty O NLS patrons read an average machines to fulfill a variety of reading books a yearmany times the average needs including leisure and recreational for print readers. reading, which covers a wide range of sub- Almost all patrons who read recorded ject areas. Says Bruce Spiro, a retirej com- o materials use cassettes or both cas- puter security consultant, "This program is a settes and discs; only 21,000 readers godsend. I just don't know what I would do are listed with only talking-book if it didn't exist." machines. Employed patrons find the machine help- their machines O Most active readers use ful in reading work-related material, and several hours each day, not only for some even have their cassette player at NLS books and magazines but also work. Katie Bunnell, a part-time library aide for study and for professional and at an NLS subregional library, talked about recreational materials from other how important and helpful it is to be able to sources. refer to recorded memos, regulations, let- ters, and other documents. 7 3 Experiments roj etas to' Fall 1994 1,7 C-1 cassette machine fi t being assembled. Pro- duction photos show procedures at Telex Communications, Inc., in Blue Earth, Minne- sota, an NLS contractor. Photos by Gary T. Sands. Where do talking-book machines come from? From reflection to reality mailing containers), a set of steps will fol- To begin with, there's a conceptan idea low, each hedged about with formalities, regulations, and procedures that must be for a new product or an improvement of an old one. It's not easy to generalize about adhered to. These steps are conceived to original thinking, the sources of invention, guarantee the highest quality of material pro- the origins of ideasthese are underlying duction at the lowest cost possiblecost ul- questions about the nature of human creativ- timately borne by the American taxpayer. ity that have vexed philosophers and social These procedures may be time-consum- thinkers since antiquity. ing; on occasion they may seem madden- ingly frustratingboth to designers in the In science and technology, ideas seem to emerge from an interplay among the pat- NLS Engineering Section who are eager to see their ideas implemented and to consum- terns of existing.inventions and standard techniques, the definition of needs (whether ers who are eager to benefit from the ad- emergent or long-felt), the reach of the vances that will be embodied in the new productbut their purpose is sound. Long- imagination, and the limitations of available resources, whether material, technical, or in- range prospects as well as short-term bene- tellectual. Of course, within formal institu- fits must be taken into account; contemp- tions, the dimension of administrative regu- orary options must be assessed against the lation must also be factored in; it is often the perspective of future potentialities. degree of regulation that differentiates the Rigorous adherence to high standards of production patterns of government agencies development, production, and testing are from those of private industry and the indi- built into the NLS program's mandates and vidual entrepreneur. traditions. Twenty years ago, in an encyclo- Once an idea, a concept, for a machine is pedia of library science, the evolution of NLS machine-production philosophy was brought forth (or, for that matter, for any item of equipment, from solar panels to summarized in this way: 8 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 9 Experiments Fall 1994 o First specifications created. NLS en- "In addition to the development of speci- gineers create a set of specifications for a fications for machines, records, and needles, product that does not yet exist or that re- the National Bureau of Standards (from quires modification. No equipment is ever 1948 to 1957) and the Technical Section of manufactured without specifications that the National Library Service for the Blind precisely define the equipment's functions, and Physically Handicapped (from 1957 to basic design, capacities, and limitations. A the present) maintained a continuing in- ... cassette machine, for example, must be two- vestigation of the whole field of sound re- cordingtape recording, wire recording, speed, four-track, compact, lightweight, and recording on filmfor possible applica- sturdy and durable, capable of sustaining punishing vibration, easy to use, relatively tion to the talking-book program.... Since simple to repair at the first echelons of main- 1967 [NLS] has had its own research and de- tenance, and capable of meeting the reading velopment sections with a technical staff requirements of patrons. Certain exclusions and an anechoic chamber for checking ma- may also be written into the specifications. chine performance. NLS cassette machines, for example, do not "As a result, a uniformly high quality in An NLS patron tries need recording heads; frequency ranges for equipment for the talking-book program can the controls of an early talking-book playback do not need to be as be maintained, since specifications have prototype of the easy wide as those called for in commercial been established to which all bidders must audio engineering dedicated to the flawless (E-1) machine. conform. These specifications, compiled reproduction of orchestral music. with the aid and advice of engineers, are Engineers also produce blueprints and subject to continuous revision. Bidders are drawings. required to submit prototypes of equipment ® Bids solicited. Manufacturers are in- ordered, and these undergo inspectica and vited to consider the specifications and sub- testing before purchase and authorization mit estimates of their abilities to produce of delivery to the distributing libraries are the product, including projected time and granted by the Library of Congress." cost structures. Competing bids are scruti- Production steps nized, and a contract is awarded to the lowest, responsive, responsible candidate. In What follows is an outline of the progress practice, the elapsed time between the adver- a machine must make in order to be trans- tisement of a carefully defined solicitation formed from a mental representation to a and the award of contract needs to be at finished product. least six to eight months. o Contractor submits design proposal. A long collaborative process begins between the contractor and NLS, handled primarily by the Engineering (ES) and Quality Assur- ance (QAS) sections. Working closely to- ,Tke 6. t. gether, they develop a design that conforms to the original specifications, taking into account the availability of product compo- nents and other pragmatic aspects of production. O Prototype built, tested. When an ac- t ceptable design is agreed upon, the contrac- ., e. tor produces a working production-control g,z model. "Getting from approving a design to coming up with a functional prototype may isW turn out to be a long and arduous phase of 4. N'T.46S`,4-tz*,,. bo the overall process," says Don Smith, assis- ,NaalialatZnIbPA,Z4,1/4, tant head of QAS. "There are hundreds and hundreds of things that can go wrong." /;1> The prototype is rigorously tested for every parameter called for in the specifica- 15 tion, with special attention to electrical func- Bob Mainhart, Quality Assurance specialist, electronic products, tions and operability. tests a cassette machine in the NLS QA laboratory. I0 9