“Acoustic radars” and listening trumpets
By tyler on Aug 1, 2008 in Inventions, Listening, Metal
Before the advent of radar and hearing aids, hearing “trumpets” and the like were used to amplify distant sounds. Acoustic radars were invented during war time to locate ships in the fog and approaching airplanes. These listening devices not only enabled the listener to hear subtle, distant sounds, but also allowed for great accuracy in pinpointing the direction of the sound source due to the increased spacing and size of the giant “ears.” Some of these devices are very accurate, for example, the German RRH is able to detect the size of an approaching aircraft formation 8 miles away with the directional accuracy of 2 degrees.
Two-horn listening device at Bolling Field, USA in 1921
The experiments of Rev J M Bacon 1898 in London
Quad hearing trupet on wheels
Czech four-horn acoustic locator from the 1920s
Japanese acoustic radars from the 1930s
French hexagonal acoustic locator from the 1930s
German Ringtrichterrichtungshoerer (RRH) acoustic radar
Read more about each picture here: Acoustic Location and Sound Mirrors
From: D0n RIcklin | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
In a temporary Exhibit sponsored by the City of Worcester (Massachusetts)Cultural Commission in a Public Park, Elm Park there is such a listening device> Listen - Elm Park Soundscape by Denis Svoronos
Images at: http://DonRicklin.smugmug.com/gallery/5285538_HTg9P#322153069
Don
From: tyler | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the comment Don - very interesting sculptures. Bookmarked and in the queue!