For many years, the internet had its own unique soundtrack. If you’re around 30 years old or more, you might remember the nostalgic sounds of dial-up internet. But have you ever wondered what all those beeps and boops were doing? It’s a fascinating part of technology history!
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and today we’re going to explore some sounds that kids today might not have heard. From the whirring of a film projector to the click-clack of a mechanical typewriter, let’s dive into these interesting noises.
Today, you might connect to the internet using a modem, but it probably doesn’t make the same sounds that dial-up connections did. Those old noises were how two modems talked to each other. But what were they saying?
It all started with your modem making a phone call—a sound that might be unfamiliar to those who are used to silent digital communication. On the other end, a modem from your internet service provider would answer. Computers communicate using a binary language of ones and zeros, but these can be turned into sounds with different volumes and pitches. This process, called modulation, allowed information to travel through telephone wires, which were common in homes during the 1990s.
A Finnish software developer named Uno Racingen explored the standards for these communications and created a graphic that shows the conversation between two modems. The modems had to figure out each other’s capabilities and work around the limitations of phone lines, which were designed for human voices.
Once connected, you could explore websites like Geocities, as long as no one picked up the phone and interrupted the connection. You might have used AOL Instant Messaging, hearing the sound of a digital door opening when a friend logged on. If it was someone special, you might have left a heartfelt away message.
Depending on your age, you might remember rotary phones. These phones required you to put your finger in a hole and rotate the dial, which would then spring back, sending electrical signals. The first patent for this technology was in 1892, and it was common until the 1960s when Touch Tone dialing came along.
Some kids today might have heard a dial-up modem if they’ve used a fax machine. However, many might not have heard the sound of a payphone returning your coin. Payphones became popular in the early 1900s, and by the 1960s, there were over a million of them. An engineer named Otto Frosberg invented the coin return mechanism, which refunded your coin if the call didn’t go through.
While exaggerated rewind sound effects are common in movies, the real sound of a VCR rewinding a tape is less familiar now. Film projectors, although still used in some cinemas, have mostly been replaced by digital projection. The sound of a film projector comes from the rapid movement of gears and film around sprockets, creating the illusion of moving images.
There are still fans of mechanical typewriters today. The sound of typing on one is a mix of rare noises, from the paper being pulled through the rollers to the satisfying ding at the end of a line.
That’s it for this nostalgic journey through sounds of the past. If there’s a noise from your childhood that brings back memories, feel free to share it. Thanks for joining us!
Imagine you’re back in the 1990s. Create a short skit with your classmates to simulate the dial-up internet connection process. Use sound effects and props to mimic the noises and actions of connecting to the internet. Discuss what each sound represented and how it contributed to the connection process.
Listen to a series of sound clips from the past, including dial-up modems, rotary phones, and typewriters. Try to identify each sound and match it to its corresponding technology. Discuss how these sounds were part of everyday life and what modern equivalents have replaced them.
Work in groups to create a visual “sound map” of a typical day in the 1990s. Include sounds like the dial-up modem, a rotary phone, a VCR, and a typewriter. Present your map to the class and explain how these sounds fit into daily activities during that time.
Interview a family member or someone older about their experiences with these old technologies. Ask them to describe the sounds and how they felt about using these devices. Share your findings with the class and discuss how technology has evolved since then.
Using simple materials, try to recreate one of the sounds discussed, such as the click-clack of a typewriter or the whir of a film projector. Record your sound and explain the process you used to create it. Discuss how sound engineering plays a role in technology and media today.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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For years, the exciting possibilities of the internet had a distinctive soundtrack. If you’re about 30 years or older, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the now-nostalgic sounds that accompanied dial-up internet. But have you ever wondered what all those beeps and boops were accomplishing? It’s a fascinating and, in my opinion, adorable footnote in the history of technology.
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and on today’s episode of The List Show, I’ll break down that digital medley and discuss other sounds today’s kids might have never heard. From the whir of a film projector to the click-clack of a mechanical typewriter, we’ll explore it all.
You might be using a modem to connect to the internet right now, but it probably doesn’t require the kind of audible connection that underpinned dial-up connections. Those old-fashioned noises were essentially how two different modems communicated with each other. So, what were they saying?
The process started with your modem making an actual phone call—a sound that might be unfamiliar to a generation accustomed to digital contacts and silent modes. On the other end, a modem from your internet service provider would pick up. Computers, at their simplest level, communicate in the binary language of ones and zeros, but those bits and bytes can be translated into an analog format like sound, expressed as different volumes and pitches of sound waves. This process is known as modulation, allowing information to be sent via telephone wires, which were widely available in many homes during the 1990s.
A Finnish software developer named Uno Racingen delved into the International Telecommunication Union standards and translated the entire dialogue between two modems into a Creative Commons graphic you can follow second by second if you can find a working dial-up modem. The steps in the graphic include anthropomorphized language like “please don’t reduce your power by more than six decibels.” While modems wouldn’t be offended by rudeness, the steps necessary to create those early connections were very real. The two modems needed to figure out what one another was capable of and engage in some workarounds for using existing telecommunication lines, which had been optimized for human users.
Once the connection was established, you could enjoy Geocities to your heart’s content—provided no one picked up the phone and interrupted the modem dialogue. You might have engaged in some AOL Instant Messaging long before “slipping into the DMs” became a familiar phrase. The sound of a digital door opening represented one of your friends logging on, and if it was your crush, it might be time to put up a particularly heartfelt away message.
Fun fact: at one point, AOL was producing 50% of all CD-ROMs worldwide in an effort to grow their user base. Depending on your age, you may or may not have had a rotary phone in your home. I had one in my childhood home, and it was satisfying to play with the rotary dial while worrying I might accidentally make a call.
Originally, telephone users relied on human operators to connect them. With rotary phones, you would put your finger in a hole and rotate the dial until you reached a stopping point. The dial would then spring back, translating that mechanical action into electrical signals. The first patent for rotary phone technology was received in 1892, and it became the industry standard until the 1960s when Touch Tone dialing was introduced.
Some kids today might have heard some of the sounds we’re discussing. Anyone who’s used a fax machine has heard a dial-up modem, and while faxing is not uncommon in certain industries and countries, many under-20s may have never heard the sound of a payphone returning your coin. Payphones became popular in the early 1900s, and by the 1960s, Bell had installed its millionth payphone.
The coin return mechanism was introduced by an engineer named Otto Frosberg. When you inserted a coin, it would go into a physical space awaiting the result of your call. If the call was completed, the coin would go into the collection box; if not, it would be refunded.
Today’s kids might be familiar with exaggerated rewind sound effects, but the more subtle sound of a VCR rewinding a tape is less common now. The sound of a film projector is a little less subtle, and while you can still hear it in some cinemas, digital projection has largely taken over.
The general concept behind film projection is simple: showing a series of still images that our minds interpret as movement. The distinct sound we associate with film projectors comes from the rapid movement of gears and the film itself around various sprockets.
There are still mechanical typewriter enthusiasts out there. The sound of typing a letter must be a symphony of rare sounds for them, from the pull of paper through the rollers to the satisfying ding at the end of a line.
That’s it for this nostalgic episode of The List Show. If there’s a noise from your childhood that brings back memories, let us know in the comments. Thanks for watching!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and personal anecdotes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Internet – A global network of computers that allows people to access and share information from anywhere in the world. – Example sentence: The internet has revolutionized how we communicate and access information.
Sounds – Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person’s or animal’s ear. – Example sentence: The sounds of typing on a keyboard can be heard throughout the computer lab.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Example sentence: Advances in technology have made it possible to connect with people across the globe instantly.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Example sentence: The history of the telephone shows how communication has evolved over time.
Modem – A device that connects a computer to the internet by converting digital data into a format suitable for a transmission medium. – Example sentence: The modem blinked rapidly as it connected the computer to the internet.
Communication – The exchange of information between people through speaking, writing, or using some other medium. – Example sentence: Email is a popular form of communication in the digital age.
Rotary – Relating to a device or mechanism that rotates around a central point, often used in older technology like rotary phones. – Example sentence: Before smartphones, people used rotary phones to make calls by turning a dial.
Payphone – A public telephone that operates with coins or a card, commonly found in public places before the widespread use of mobile phones. – Example sentence: In the past, people used payphones to make calls when they were away from home.
Projector – A device that projects images or videos onto a surface, often used for presentations or movies. – Example sentence: The teacher used a projector to display the history lesson on the screen.
Typewriter – A mechanical or electromechanical machine for writing characters similar to those produced by a printer’s movable type. – Example sentence: Before computers, writers used a typewriter to create documents and letters.
