Old tech sounds preserved as part of huge audio project

Play the sound of a typewriter to a child and they’ll have little idea what it is they’re listening to. Play it to an older adult and they might break into a smile at some of the memories that it instantly evokes. Ditto the sound of an old cassette recorder, rotary telephone, or Super 8 camera.

Keen to preserve these and other sounds for generations to come, Stuart Fowkes has been building the Cities and Memory archive, with old tech sounds forming part of its growing database of recordings. “We are at a stage now where the lifespan of sounds, as they come into existence and then move out of existence, is so much shorter than it ever has been,” Fowkes told BBC Radio this week. “When you think of the ringtone, that was four or five years ago, that now seems really archaic.” The British sound artist and field recordist notes how people who were around in the early days of the internet in the 1990s will have a particular reaction when they hear a recording of an odd screeching sound, also known as a dial-up modem.

“There are particular sounds that evoke a certain memory and are very personal, and I think it’s important to collect the sounds together and be able to present them back because I think that anyone that listens to the collection will have their own particular response to it,” Fowkes told the BBC. “Whether it’s a video game sound or whether it’s the sound of a camera shutter that particularly resonates with them, maybe it takes them back to their childhood or to a particular experience they had,” he added. If you have a moment, be sure to check out the project’s archive of sounds and sound projects, which don’t only focus on obsolete or disappearing technology.

For example, it also includes recordings that dip into cultures around the world, like a geisha performance in Japan or traditional Khmer music from Cambodia. Sounds from nature are also included, with some, such as a recording of a glacier breaking up, touching on issues such as climate change. Fowkes also highlights how the ongoing project has become an inspiration for artists, with some creators using the source recordings to create musical compositions.

You can check out some of them on the project’s web page for obsolete sounds, which features audio of typewriters, telephones, cameras, slide projectors, and VCRs, among other gear.

You can listen to Fowkes’ interview via the BBC’s website.

The segment starts at the 40-minute mark.

Editors’ Recommendations

Tags:

closet listed on couponmatrix.ukcook-serve-enjoy listed on couponmatrix.ukotrium listed on couponmatrix.ukrutland-cycling listed on couponmatrix.ukuber listed on couponmatrix.ukwex-photographic listed on couponmatrix.uk
closet listed on couponmatrix.ukEvery single item in the Closet London collection tells a story and is inspired by the confident and feminine style of the Closet Women. Whatever you have planned, your Closet voucher code means you can always find just the right item of clothing for every occasion, without breaking the bank. Full of personality, elegant shapes, and stunning prints, when you shop with Closet London you’re getting more than just an outfit: you’re getting a piece of their story.
cook-serve-enjoy listed on couponmatrix.ukCook Serve Enjoy is all about making cooking fun and easy. From woks, steamers and roasting tins to bowls and placemats, this cookware brand has everything you need to cook up a storm. A Cook Serve Enjoy discount code from Groupon could go a long way towards making your kettles and cafetieres more affordable, so you can enjoy quality kitchen products designed to last. From salads and cooked dinners to cocktails and fancy coffees, Cook Serve Enjoy has everything you need for a five-star meal.
otrium listed on couponmatrix.ukThose eager for premium brands without the premium price tag will quickly make Otrium their first port of call. A marketplace where excess stock from the likes of French Connection, Reiss and Adidas is sold at sale-level prices, you can double-down on your discount with an Otrium discount code from Groupon. With anything from sportswear to party dresses going under the hammer, you never know what new designer label will enter your wardrobe at Otrium.
rutland-cycling listed on couponmatrix.ukRutland Cycling started life in 1981 as a cycle hire cabin at Rutland Water, Oakham. Since those earnest beginnings the company has grown into a leading player in the Britain’s competitive cycle hire and retail industry. Groupon’s selection of Rutland Cycling discount codes can help you save money when addressing your cycling needs.
uber listed on couponmatrix.ukGet to where you want to be fast with Uber. With a tap of a button, catch a ride, hop in and relax. View the cost of your trip before you book and snap up a lift at a price and location that suits you so you never have to worry about being stranded again. Take Uber out for a test run with an Uber promo code and enjoy a stress-free journey for less. Concerned about safety? Every driver goes through a background check, so you can have peace of mind. Each trip is GPS tracked too, so you can share your journey with friends if you wish. Reach your destination every time with Uber.
wex-photographic listed on couponmatrix.ukPhotography is such a special thing. It captures fleeting moments in life and preserves them for ever. These magical machines called camers that let us preserve these moments in time are just as impressive today as when they first appeared in 1816. When you use a Wex Photographic discount code you’ll find incredible savings on hundreds of cameras. With over 19000 products, Wex Photographic is the most comprehensive photography shop where you’ll find digital and film cameras, tripods, filters, lighting and everything else you’ll ever need to keep yourself snap-happy.