Much of professional audio sprang from the collective genius of Bells Labs research. This Tech Tip examines the origins of the lapel microphone – a device to be worn on the clothing of a presenter. Here is a February 1932 article from Bell Labs, published in Projection Engineering magazine: “The buttonhole microphone.”
Please take note of the marketing pitch in the final sentence, “The instrument (microphone) will be a boon to speakers (presenters) who depend on gestures in effective delivery, who must turn to explain lantern slides or use a blackboard, or who find it difficult to put their personality into their message if their position is restricted.” Some things never change.
How did this Bell Labs mic inspire Shure? In 1936, Shure introduced its own buttonhole microphone, the Model 73A Lapel Microphone. By employing a crystal element, the need for a power supply and its enclosure was eliminated. It is feasible that our Model 73A was the world’s first lapel mic with a crystal element – additional research is required as Astatic or Brush might have offered similar products.
Development of the 73A occurred before Ben Bauer was hired and possibly was the work of Ralph Glover, Shure’s first Chief Engineer.
In the 1938, the Model 73A was superseded by the Model 76A.
Related information: Vintage Shure catalogs
Arcana – mysterious or specialized knowledge
The Bell Labs article mentions “S.P. Grace.” Mr. Sergius Grace was a vice-president at Bell Labs.
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As lapel mics are common in houses-of-worship, here is a church anecdote from the 1960s.
Charles Paul Boner, acoustical consultant, physicist, and organist, was born February 8, 1900. Plain-speaking and forthright, Dr. Boner frequently consulted on sound systems for churches. For a large and wealthy church in Texas, his sound system design did not please the council of elders. The cost was “outrageous” he was told. Dr. Boner innocently asked the elders, “Your church is magnificent indeed. Worthy of God. May I ask about the beautiful, lush pew cushions? So elegant. What did they cost?” An elder replied proudly, “The seat cushions were $50,000, Dr. Boner.” Dr. Boner rejoined, “Interesting. Ten times the price of my sound system. In my opinion, the ear-to-rear ratio of this council is awry.” And he walked out.
