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Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project

Collector:
Maxey, H. David  Search this
Creator:
National Museum of American History (U.S.)  Search this
Inventor:
American Telephone and Telegraph Company  Search this
Bell Telephone Laboratories  Search this
International Business Machines Corporation  Search this
Massachusetts Institute of Technology  Search this
Klatt, Dennis  Search this
Kurzweil, Ray  Search this
Extent:
8 Cubic feet (32 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Diskettes
Dictograph
Date:
1939-1999
Summary:
The Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project, conducted by H. David Maxey from 1986 through 2002, created a collection of archival materials documenting the history and development of speech synthesis technology. Maxey collaborated with Dr. Bernard Finn, Elliot Sivowitch and Harold Wallace of the National Museum of American History's Division of Information, Technology, and Society.
Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project Original Website:
Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project website

This website was created by Dave Maxey in 2002 to document the history of the project and to provide extensive information about the collection materials.
Scope and Contents:
The collection documents a project done by H. David Maxey in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. The collection consists of administrative files containing correspondence, project reports, and other infomation about the Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project. The project files, arranged geographically and alphabetically contains information about specific speech synthesis projects and inventions. The reprints series consists of reprints of articles which Maxey collected and organized separately. This series is organized both numerically and alphabetically. The audiovisual materials contain the recordings of talks, meetings, and samples of speech synthesis described in the projects outlined in the project files.
Arrangement:
The original SSSHP numbers assigned by Dave Maxey are included in portions of the Container List. They are the basis for the organization of Maxey's original index to and description of the collection. Maxey assigned the numbers sequentially in the order he received each numbered item.

The collection is arranged into four series.

Series 1, Administrative Files,1986-2002

Series 2, Project Files, 1939-1999

Series 3, Reprints, 1939-1999

Series 4: Audiovisual Materials,1939-1999

Subseries 1, ΒΌ" Open Reel Audiotape

Subseries 2, Audiocassettes

Subseries 3, Miscellaneous

Subseries 4, Reference and Protection Audiotapes and CDs
Biographical / Historical:
The Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project, conducted by H. David Maxey from 1986 through 2002, created a collection of archival materials including sound recordings documenting the history and development of speech synthesis technology. Maxey collaborated with Dr. Bernard Finn of the National Museum of American History's Division of Information, Technology, and Society. Elliot Sivowitch and Harold Wallace of the same division served as Smithsonian liaisons with the project.

"Speech synthesis technology" refers to the results of a long, evolutionary process in which researchers learned to create artificial sounds that people would interpret as speech. As early as the eighteenth century scientists were inventing mechanical machines to create sounds similar to human speech. Later electronics led to additional developments, The Voder was one of the earliest examples which was demonstrated to wide acclaim at the 1939 New York World's Fair. However, it was the widespread use of computers that led to the greatest progress in the field of speech synthesis.

Speech synthesis is the process by which a computer speaks. By contrast, speech recognition is when a computer can interpret spoken language. The application of both of these capabilities has been important for creating assistive computer technology for the visually impaired (speech recognition) and for individuals unable to speak (speech synthesis).

Among the leading researchers and organizations involved with the development of speech synthesis technologies are the Anerican Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), Bell Telephone Laboratories, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dennis H. Klatt, and Ray Kurzweil.

Today speech synthesis is a common feature of daily life from the cultured voice on the GPS saying exactly which road to take to making a train reservation on the telephone. However, many speech synthesis developers continue to explore and design methods to make the speech sound less mechanical, with the ultimate challenge being natural sounding speech that shows emotion.

Dave Maxey's dedication to the project, with support from members of the staff of the National Museum of American History, has ensured the preservation of materials documenting the early history of electronic and computer engineered synthetic speech.
Related Materials:
Artifacts related to this collection are in the Division of Work & Industry, Electricity Collections.
Provenance:
The collection was created for the Smithsonian Institution from 1986-2002 by Dave Maxey in collaboration with Dr. Bernard Finn of the National Museum of American History's Division of Information, Technology, and Society, assisted by Elliot Sivowitch and Harold Wallace of the same division.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Computer sound processing  Search this
Voder  Search this
Speech synthesis  Search this
Speech  Search this
Computers  Search this
Assistive computer technology  Search this
Genre/Form:
Sound recordings
Diskettes
Dictograph
Citation:
Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0417
See more items in:
Smithsonian Speech Synthesis History Project
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86cff14d8-dea1-4a3c-b7f2-37a5e66d11b9
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0417

Director's Records, 1959-2014

Creator:
Museum Conservation Institute  Search this
Subject:
Organ, R. M  Search this
Van Zelst, Lambertus  Search this
Koestler, Robert J (Robert John) 1950-  Search this
Postlethwaite, Alan W. 1924-2014  Search this
Olin, Charles  Search this
Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education  Search this
Smithsonian Institution Conservation Analytical Laboratory  Search this
Physical description:
6 cu. ft. unprocessed holdings
Type:
Manuscripts
Clippings
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1959
1959-2014
Topic:
Materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Local number:
SIA RS01139
See more items in:
Director's Records 1959-2014 [Museum Conservation Institute]
Data Source:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_arc_246013

Curators' Annual Reports

Extent:
49 cu. ft. (98 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Date:
1881-1964
Descriptive Entry:
The administration of the United States National Museum required curators to submit regular reports on the activities of the departments, divisions, and sections. Prior to about 1900 these reports were often made monthly and semiannually as well as annually. The reports were traditionally submitted to the Director of the National Museum to be used in preparing the published Annual Report of the United States National Museum. The individual reports, however, were not reproduced in their entirety in the published Annual Report and generally contain more information than is to be found in the published version.

Reports were stored by the Office of Correspondence and Reports (later known as the Office of Correspondence and Documents), and then by the Office of the Registrar.

Includes reports submitted to the Director of the United States National Museum by curators and administrators.
Topic:
Museums -- Administration  Search this
Museum curators  Search this
Genre/Form:
Manuscripts
Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 158, United States National Museum, Curators' Annual Reports
Identifier:
Record Unit 158
See more items in:
Curators' Annual Reports
Archival Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-sia-faru0158
1 Page(s) matching your search term, top most relevant are shown: View entire project in transcription center
  • View Curators' Annual Reports digital asset number 1

Daily Globe Writes about Museum's Mr. Wizard

Subject:
Hindley, J. W  Search this
United States National Museum  Search this
Date:
July 6, 1890
Topic:
Taxidermy  Search this
Museum techniques  Search this
Smithsonian Institution--Employees  Search this
Museums--Collection management  Search this
Museum exhibits  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Exhibitions  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sic_12998

Charles Tumosa and Marion Mecklenburg

Author:
Dougherty, Harold E  Search this
Subject:
Tumosa, Charles  Search this
Mecklenburg, Marion  Search this
Museum Conservation Institute  Search this
Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL)  Search this
Physical description:
Number of Images: 1; Color: Black and White; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Group, candid; Medium: Photographic print
Type:
Photographic print
Group, candid
Date:
1991
Topic:
Art objects  Search this
Art-transport  Search this
National Collections  Search this
Computer Imaging  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Art-Packing  Search this
Smithsonian Institution--Employees  Search this
Conservators  Search this
Standard number:
SIA2011-1102
Restrictions & Rights:
no restrictions
Data Source:
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sic_7061

Dunhuang and Turfan : contents and conservation of ancient documents from Central Asia / edited by Susan Whitfield and Frances Wood

Author:
Whitfield, Susan  Search this
Wood, Frances  Search this
British Library  Search this
Preservation of Material from Cave 17 (Conference) (1993 : University of Sussex)  Search this
Subject:
International Dunhuang Project  Search this
Physical description:
xiii, 98 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm
Type:
Congresses
Place:
Asia, Central
Dunhuang (China)
Turpan Xian (China)
Date:
1996
Topic:
Manuscripts--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Archival resources  Search this
Call number:
DS793.T8 D9
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_887241

On the preservation of books and documents in original form / Barclay Ogden

Author:
Ogden, Barclay  Search this
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Physical description:
5 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1989
Topic:
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Call number:
Z701 .O34 1989
Z701.O34 1989
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_400778

Physical techniques in the study of art, archaeology and cultural heritage

Title:
Art, archaeology and cultural heritage
Physical description:
v. : ill. (some col.), col. maps ; 25 cm
Type:
Periodicals
Date:
2006
2006-
Topic:
Antiquities--Collection and preservation  Search this
Art objects--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Cultural property--Protection  Search this
Preservation of materials--Technique  Search this
Historic preservation  Search this
Archaeometry  Search this
Art and science  Search this
Restrictions & Rights:
Current Copyright Fee: GBP18.00 5\1. Uk
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1049111

The moral imperative of conservation : an address / by James H. Billington

Author:
Billington, James H  Search this
Art Institute of Chicago  Search this
National Committee to Save America's Cultural Collections  Search this
Physical description:
16 p. ; 23 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1987
[1987]
Topic:
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Material culture--Collection and preservation  Search this
Call number:
Z701 .B55 1987
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_909159

Preservation research and development : Round Table proceedings, September 28-29, 1992 / edited by Carrie Beyer

Author:
Library of Congress Round Table on Preservation Research and Development (1992 : Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Beyer, Carrie  Search this
Physical description:
146 p. : ill., graphs ; 28 cm
Type:
Congresses
Date:
1993
Topic:
Research libraries  Search this
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
Z673 .L69 1993
Z673.L69 1993
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_450332

Computerization project of the Archivo General de Indias, Seville, Spain : a report to the Commission on Preservation and Access / by Hans Rütimann and M. Stuart Lynn

Author:
Rütimann, Hans  Search this
Stuart, M. Lynn  Search this
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Subject:
Archivo General de Indias  Search this
Physical description:
17 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1992
C1992
Topic:
Optical disks  Search this
Optical storage devices  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
Z681.3.O67 R92 1992
Z681.3.O67R92 1992
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_426802

Preservation and access in China : possibilities for cooperation : report of a visit to the People's Republic of China, September 19 to October 12, 1991 / by Hans Rütimann

Author:
Rütimann, Hans  Search this
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Physical description:
16 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
China
Date:
1992
C1992
Topic:
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
Z701.4.C6 R92 1992
Z701.4.C6R92 1992
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_426805

Collections, monuments and architecture at risk : a forum for Southern California decision makers : edited proceedings from a Regional Forum on the Conservation of Cultural Property / edited by Claire Segal

Author:
Regional Forum on the Conservation of Cultural Property (2nd : 1989 : Los Angeles, Calif.)  Search this
Segal, Claire  Search this
National Committee to Save America's Cultural Collections  Search this
Los Angeles County Museum of Art  Search this
National Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Property (U.S.)  Search this
Physical description:
44 p. : ill. ; 28 cm
Type:
Congresses
Date:
1989
[1989]
Topic:
Cultural property--Protection  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
CC135 .R33 1989
CC135.R33 1989
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_408063

Annual report - Commission on Preservation and Access

Author:
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Subject:
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Physical description:
v. ; 28 cm
Type:
Periodicals
Date:
1989
1989-
Topic:
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Call number:
Z700.9 .C734
AP1 .C72585
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_402684

Preserving the literary heritage : the final report of the Scholarly Advisory Committee on Modern Language and Literature of the Commission on Preservation and Access / J. Hillis Miller

Author:
Miller, J. Hillis (Joseph Hillis) 1928-  Search this
Commission on Preservation and Access  Search this
Commission on Preservation and Access Scholarly Advisory Committee on Modern Language and Literature  Search this
Physical description:
7 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1991
Topic:
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Call number:
Z701 .M64 1991
Z701.M64 1991
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_410890

Preserving our heritage : a review of the conservation needs and resources in the Philadelphia metropolitan area

Title:
Conservation of art and historic artifacts in the Philadelphia area
Review of the conservation needs and resources in the Philadelphia metropolitan area
Author:
William Penn Foundation  Search this
Physical description:
39 p. : col. charts ; 23 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Date:
1988
Topic:
Archives  Search this
Museums  Search this
Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Antiquities  Search this
Collection and preservation  Search this
Call number:
CD3478.P5 P93 1988
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_459336

Cultural conservation through the preservation of material culture : the representation of Black American artists in "mainstream" museums / by Floyd R. Thomas, Jr

Author:
Thomas, Floyd R  Search this
Physical description:
2 v. (xii, 536 leaves) ; 29 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
United States
Date:
1991
1989
Topic:
African American art--Study and teaching (Higher)  Search this
Museums--Study and teaching (Higher)  Search this
African Americans--Study and teaching (Higher)  Search this
Material culture  Search this
Call number:
N84 .T45 1989a
N84.T45 1989a
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_404790

Final report / Commission on Preservation and Access, Review and Assessment Committee ; David H. Stam, chair ... [et al.]

Author:
Commission on Preservation and Access Review and Assessment Committee  Search this
Stam, David H  Search this
Subject:
Commission on Preservation and Access Evaluation  Search this
Physical description:
37 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
United States
Date:
1991
[1991]
Topic:
Library materials--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Brittle books  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
Z701 .C73 1991
Z701.C73 1991
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_415643

Mass deacidification systems : planning and managerial decision making / by Karen Turko

Author:
Turko, Karen  Search this
Association of Research Libraries  Search this
Physical description:
vi, 24 p. ; 28 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1990
Topic:
Books--Deacidification  Search this
Books--Conservation and restoration  Search this
Preservation of materials  Search this
Call number:
Z701.3.D4 T93 1990
Z701.3.D4T93 1990
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_402520

Records

Creator::
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections  Search this
Extent:
1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Compact discs
Black-and-white negatives
Black-and-white photographs
Electronic records
Date:
2005-2006
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of records regarding Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) annual meetings, publications, finances, elections, and committees. Materials include correspondence, minutes, newsletters and other serial publications, photographs, videotapes, and other related materials documenting SPNHC activities. Some materials are in electronic format.
Rights:
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2022; Transferring office; 7/11/1990 Agreement of Transfer; Contact reference staff for details.
Topic:
Preservation of materials  Search this
Professional associations  Search this
Natural history -- Catalogs and collections  Search this
Genre/Form:
Manuscripts
Compact discs
Black-and-white negatives
Black-and-white photographs
Electronic records
Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 06-161, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, Records
Identifier:
Accession 06-161
See more items in:
Records
Archival Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-sia-fa06-161

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