Speaking tube
Encyclopedia
A speaking tube or voicepipe is a device based on two cone
s connected by an air pipe through which speech can be transmitted over an extended distance. While its most common use was in intra-ship
communications, the principle was also used in fine homes and offices of the 19th century, as well as fine automobiles, military aircraft
, and even locomotive
s. For most purposes, the device was outmoded by the telephone
and its widespread adoption. This device was also known as a "megaphone
", but that use has since become superseded.
or metal
, one end shaped to fit the speaker's mouth, connected to the other which was flared to amplify the sound.
Later designs of the voicepipe inserted a removable cork-mounted whistle, which could be sounded by blowing into the tube from the other end. On naval vessels, this created a distinctive sound associated with urgent intra-ship communication on old warships. The sound of the whistle would summon the listener, who would remove the whistle and answer the call. Very long speaking tubes might use an electrical bell or light to indicate a call, as the large volume of air in the pipe would make it difficult to blow with enough pressure to sound a whistle at the far end.
Voicepipes had no switch
ing mechanism and so, to provide multiple destinations, separate voicepipes with dedicated transit pipes had to be provided between all pairs of desired endpoints.
The technology continued to be used into the electronic age due to its reliability and low cost. Voice pipes are unaffected by a complete electrical power loss or by an Electromagnetic pulse
. Warships built as late as the 1950s continued to incorporate voicepipes alongside more advanced technology.
. These were somewhat larger in diameter than the domestic version and were often covered in sound absorbent material to increase their efficiency. About 1780, one captain removed a canvas voice pipe installed by an imaginative midshipman
saying he was sure the topmen would “use it for an improper purpose”.
One disadvantage of voice pipes is that they may breach the integrity of watertight spaces. This led to the introduction of shut-off valves on both ends of voicepipes to prevent water from a flooded compartment from entering other compartments via its voicepipes.
Permanently fitted, rigid voice pipes are still in use and are generally covered with heavy lids to avoid ingress of water. The speaker has to place the mouth in the "horn" or bell-shaped end of the pipe and the receiver has to 'bend an ear' to hear what is being said.
Voice pipes have generally been replaced by sound powered telephones. Even on modern ships, however, they may still be found linking wheelhouse and binnacle for communication of magnetic compass heading to the helmsman in the event of a blackout.
In domestic applications, voicepipes were smaller and referred to as "speaking tubes". The ends of the tube were often flexible for convenience of use. The speaking tube supplemented the array of remotely controlled hand bells that were operated in the upstairs rooms and rang in the servant's quarters in even modest houses in the 19th century. The phrase "get on the horn" and "give him a blow" as well as the use of "blower" as a synonym for "telephone" are generally accepted as having their origin in this feature of speaking tubes.
Speaking tubes were employed in some offices, with whistles at either end and were therefore also known as whistling tubes. Several speaking tubes could be hung from the edge of a desk to communicate with different locations.
Speaking tubes were also used in fine automobiles, allowing communication between the separate passenger and driver's compartments when desired.
in 1917.
Cone (geometry)
A cone is an n-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a base to a point called the apex or vertex. Formally, it is the solid figure formed by the locus of all straight line segments that join the apex to the base...
s connected by an air pipe through which speech can be transmitted over an extended distance. While its most common use was in intra-ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
communications, the principle was also used in fine homes and offices of the 19th century, as well as fine automobiles, military aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
, and even locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s. For most purposes, the device was outmoded by the telephone
Telephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
and its widespread adoption. This device was also known as a "megaphone
Megaphone
A megaphone, speaking-trumpet, bullhorn, blowhorn, or loud hailer is a portable, usually hand-held, cone-shaped horn used to amplify a person’s voice or other sounds towards a targeted direction. This is accomplished by channelling the sound through the megaphone, which also serves to match the...
", but that use has since become superseded.
Design
Early voicepipes consisted of two cones, of woodWood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
or metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
, one end shaped to fit the speaker's mouth, connected to the other which was flared to amplify the sound.
Later designs of the voicepipe inserted a removable cork-mounted whistle, which could be sounded by blowing into the tube from the other end. On naval vessels, this created a distinctive sound associated with urgent intra-ship communication on old warships. The sound of the whistle would summon the listener, who would remove the whistle and answer the call. Very long speaking tubes might use an electrical bell or light to indicate a call, as the large volume of air in the pipe would make it difficult to blow with enough pressure to sound a whistle at the far end.
Voicepipes had no switch
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
ing mechanism and so, to provide multiple destinations, separate voicepipes with dedicated transit pipes had to be provided between all pairs of desired endpoints.
The technology continued to be used into the electronic age due to its reliability and low cost. Voice pipes are unaffected by a complete electrical power loss or by an Electromagnetic pulse
Electromagnetic pulse
An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field...
. Warships built as late as the 1950s continued to incorporate voicepipes alongside more advanced technology.
Maritime use
Voice pipes, the maritime term, served to transmit reports from lookout positions aloft to the deck and from the bridge to the steering position and engine roomEngine room
On a ship, the engine room, or ER, commonly refers to the machinery spaces of a vessel. To increase the safety and damage survivability of a vessel, the machinery necessary for operations may be segregated into various spaces, the engine room is one of these spaces, and is generally the largest...
. These were somewhat larger in diameter than the domestic version and were often covered in sound absorbent material to increase their efficiency. About 1780, one captain removed a canvas voice pipe installed by an imaginative midshipman
Richard Hall Gower
Captain Richard Hall Gower was an English mariner, empirical philosopher, nautical inventor, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.-Mariner:...
saying he was sure the topmen would “use it for an improper purpose”.
One disadvantage of voice pipes is that they may breach the integrity of watertight spaces. This led to the introduction of shut-off valves on both ends of voicepipes to prevent water from a flooded compartment from entering other compartments via its voicepipes.
Permanently fitted, rigid voice pipes are still in use and are generally covered with heavy lids to avoid ingress of water. The speaker has to place the mouth in the "horn" or bell-shaped end of the pipe and the receiver has to 'bend an ear' to hear what is being said.
Voice pipes have generally been replaced by sound powered telephones. Even on modern ships, however, they may still be found linking wheelhouse and binnacle for communication of magnetic compass heading to the helmsman in the event of a blackout.
Domestic use
Speaking tubes were employed in some offices, with whistles at either end and were therefore also known as whistling tubes. Several speaking tubes could be hung from the edge of a desk to communicate with different locations.
Speaking tubes were also used in fine automobiles, allowing communication between the separate passenger and driver's compartments when desired.
Playgrounds
Today, the principle of the speaking tube can be found on certain playground equipment, which employ tubing connecting soundhorns or other speaking boxes to allow voices to travel to separate points, for the amusement of the children.Other uses
A 'Gosport Tube' was a voice tube used by flight instructors in the early days of military aviation to give instructions and directions to their students. It was invented by flying instructor Robert Raymond Smith-Barry at the School of Special Flying he opened at GosportGosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
in 1917.