Custom-made speech synthesiser for Stephen Hawking

Steel case for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Steel case for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Steel case for voice synthesizer. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet, by Cambridge Adaptive Communication, 1985-1995.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. After using it for more than a decade, he gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.

Materials:: steel (metal) , plastic (unidentified) , paint , textile and nylon

Object Number:: 2021-561/21/1

type:: case - container and voice synthesizer

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Electronic Interface for Stephen Hawking's Speech Synthesizer

Electronic Interface for Stephen Hawking's Speech Synthesizer

Electronic interface unit for communication between Prof. Hawking and his computer avoiding the use of a keyboard. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. After using it for more than a decade, he gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.

Measurements:: overall: 170 mm x 370 mm x 400 mm,

Materials:: metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)

Object Number:: 2021-561/21/2

type:: electronic interface and voice synthesizer

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Computer for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Electronic processor unit for interfacing Dr Hawking's voice

Computer for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Computer unit for interfacing Dr Hawking's voice synthesizer and computer. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet, made by Intel and others.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. The computer itself is more modern than other parts of this system, dating from around 1997. Not all of Stephen's communication systems were updated at the same time. Once Intel started providing his computers, these were replaced every two years.

After using his first communication system for more than a decade, Hawking gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.

Materials:: steel (metal) , plastic (unidentified) , metal (unknown) , paint and electronic components

Object Number:: 2021-561/21/3

type:: processor and voice synthesizer

Image ©: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hand clicker for Stephen Hawking's Speech Synthesizer

Electronic possum switch (hand clicker) with transformer to control Hawking's computer interface. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. After using it for more than a decade, he gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.

Measurements:: overall: 70 mm x 110 mm x 80 mm, .2kg

Materials:: plastic (unidentified) , metal (unknown) and electrical component

Object Number:: 2021-561/21/4

type:: switch and voice synthesizer

Mobile phone for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Erikson GH388 mobile phone with personal computer interface card and cable that gave Stephen Hawking access to the internet. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet. With nickel metal halide battery. Made by Ericsson, with handset from United Kingdom, battery and connector from Sweden, modem from Germany.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. After using it for more than a decade, he gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.

Materials:: plastic (unidentified) , steel (metal) , metal (unknown) and nickel plated (halide battery)

Object Number:: 2021-561/21/5

type:: mobile phone , communication equipment , modems and voice synthesizer

Analogue mobile phone for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Analogue mobile phone for Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer

Analogue mobile phone that gave Stephen Hawking access to the telephone via his voice synthesizer. Part of communication equipment built for Stephen Hawking to allow speech and communication by computer with the Internet. Made by Motorola.

More

This is part of Stephen Hawking's first synthesizer system. After using it for more than a decade, he gave it on loan to the Science Museum in 1999, where it has been on display in different exhibitions. Stephen was proud to mention that his voice was in the Science Museum. In 2021, this system, which was previously on loan, became part of the newly allocated collection of Stephen Hawking's Office.

In 1985 Hawking completely lost his voice after emergency windpipe surgery. Shortly after, he began to try a voice synthesiser and software that allowed him to select letters or preprogrammed words and phrases. The synthesiser hardware was adapted into a portable system hanging on his wheelchair.

With practice, Hawking was able to say about 20 words per minute (most people reach about 150). His synthetic voice became famous, and he later refused offers to ‘humanise’ it.