Innovation of HEADPHONES

(Feb. 5. 2021):

by Julianna Rigoglioso

TIMELINE

1881: Used by telephone operators

1885: Electrophone SystemListen to Local Opera Houses

1910: Nathaniel Baldwin manufactured first modern headphones

1937: the "DT-48's" from Beyerdynamic

1949: AKG produced their first pair of headphones called the "K120'S"

1958: John C. Koss invented first pair of stereoheadphones "(Koss SP-3)"

1959: Stax debuted first electrostatic pair of headphones

1960: "SR-1's" went into production

1968: Koss released first US electrostatic model headphones "ESP-6's" (weighing 2lbs)

1979: SONY: "The Walkman" (First Portable Headphones: MDL-3L2 headphones came with the purchase of the first Walkman)

1980: Earbud and in-ear headphone became popular

1997: SONY Neckband headphones

2000: BOSE "QuietComfort" (noise cancelling technology)

2001: "The IPod" created by Apple

2008: Dr. Dre, Jimmy Lovine, Monster created"Beats by Dre" headphones popular to athletes especially NBA All Stars

2012: The style of headphones : Beats are seen as trendy and luxurious

2016: Wireless headphones (Apple, Bose)

2020: Noise Canceling wireless headphones (Apple, Bose)

What Do You Use to Listen to Music?

Do you own a pair of headphones? Are they noise canceling? Do you use earbuds with a string? Do you use wireless ear-buds produced by Apple or Bose? Have you purchased Apple's newest noise-canceling AirPods?

In 2021, the options and colorways are endless when deciding on what headphones to purchase. Companies produce headphones for various reasons such as sleep help, editing movies, listening to music, studying, working out. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we didn't have headphones? No more Justin Bieber blasting in your ear on the walk to class...No more listening to music on the beach, while studying for an exam, or even warming up before a big playoff game. Before the first pair of headphones were created in the 1880s, life was quite different without this piece of technology; and when they were created, however, they were not nearly as advanced and trendy as they are now.

Until the late 19th century, the earliest of headphones had nothing to do with music; instead, they were used for radio communication and telephone operators. First created in the early 1890s by a British company called Electrophone, headphones first made their mark on the world as a "single earpiece that rested on the user's shoulder and weighed over 10 pounds" Next, in 1885, families could listen to the local opera houses nearby through a large metal piece that kind of looks like a stethoscope. Those who could afford it would subscribe and enjoy the music from their local opera house—giving signals and providing music—miles away. Moving later into 1910, Nathaniel Baldwin created the first-ever modern headphones from his very own kitchen and sold them to the US Navy. Almost 30 years later, in 1927, the "DT-48's" from Beyerdynamic became were the first headphones ever to hit the market. This product sparked the innovation of headphones. AKG followed and produced in 1949 the "K120's": their first pair of headphones. Ultimately, in 1958, the game changed when John C. Koss created the first pair of stereo headphones (Koss SP-3). He developed an entire private listening system for enjoying music by plugging in your headphones to your stereo.

After 1958, the revolution of headphones began.

We can thank the Sony Walkman, which was on the market in 1979, for headphones' popularity and success. The Sony Walkman was the first ever portable music player. Listening to music was now something you could do from anywhere. This changed the game; people now incorporate music into their daily lives because it is more accessible than ever before. Companies cater toward the average person and what their day consists of. From 1980-1997, the headphones' main concern was the comfort and weight of the product. Companies now try to design a product that people could use to work out in or do other tasks without the weight of bulky headphones on top of their head; the solution: earbuds and neckband headphones.

Generally speaking, the innovation of headphones is remarkable. I find it crazy how something can change and improve so dramatically over time. Headphones originally were used by telephone operators. The headphones were large, heavy, and the audio was mediocre; the practicality was not near where it is today. When you think about the innovation of headphones from 1880 to 2021, the product literally shrank and multiplied: everyone has a pair now. Now, in the 21st century, headphones have been innovated and adapted into a piece of technology smaller than a person's ear, with quality better than ever before. Almost everyone has a pair of headphones or earbuds: especially now as we live in an era of such technological reliance. According to countless surverys, Derek Thompson, from The Atlantic, reports "with confidence, that music makes us happier, better at concentrating, and more productive." (2012). Today, people rely on their headphones for studying and concentration purposes. Even athletes rely on their music and headphones to play their "Pump Up" playlist before their big game to get them in the right mind set. In 2020 and now 2021, people rely on headphones to listen to their online classes and watch lectures.

Headphones also caused a change in people's mental health and how they cope with their emotions. After portable headphones hit the market, listening to music became a private thing: a thing that only you could hear. It allowed people to escape their daily lives and tune into a song, listen to the lyrics, and be in their own world: music therapy.

The revolution of headphones impacted the growth and innovation of various new technologies. Without the invention of headphones, portable music devices, like IPods, wouldn't have been invented. Headphones also impacted the music, film, and entertainment industry as well. They allow people to listen to whatever, wherever. More people were listening to music; therefore, more artists were releasing music.

After the internet became more popular, users would put on their headphones and listen to their sound privately. With the birth of Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, headphones and sound companies were determined to up their product.

In 2021, almost everyone owns a pair of headphones or earbuds. In college, I used my earbuds every day: listening to music on my walk to class, while studying, when I am at the gym. Whether I am in an online lecture or on vacation on the beach, my headphones are always with me. Are yours?