Collection of Braille training equipment and papers

Made:
1982

Collection of Braille training equipment and papers, c.1980-85. Developed by Sydney Smith, who developed the system with the Open University in 1982 and was installed by the Department of Trade & Industry 1984 in 8 schools including Shawgrave School, Manchester, for evaluation but not taken further.

Details

Category:
Computing & Data Processing
Object Number:
Y1999.33
type:
microcomputer peripheral

Parts

Braille frame and hand punch

Braille frame and hand punch

RNIB braille frame and hand punch, made in around 1980.

Measurements:
Overall: 32 mm x 297 mm,
Object Number:
Y1999.33.1
type:
braille frame and hand punch
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Braille computer equipment made by Sydney Smith

Braille computer equipment made by Sydney Smith

Braille computer equipment made by Sydney Smith, Manchester, in 1984.

More

This Braille computer equipment was developed by Sidney Smith, an inventor and educator who developed technology and teaching tools and programmes for the blind in the 1970s and 1980s. Smith was a teacher in Manchester who worked with the Open University and the department of Trade and Industry to install his devices and training techniques in eight local schools in 1984.

His equipment consisted of a Braille training computer keyboard, a prototype adapted microcomputer and Braille equipment developed to teach Braille to children. The device uses lights as visual aids to provide feedback to the child when writing Braille. This was seen to be a simpler way of learning Braille than by using a Braille frame on its own.

Measurements:
Overall: 32 mm x 297 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1999.33.2
type:
computer equipment

Braille training computer keyboard made by Sydney Smith, 1984

Braille training computer keyboard made by Sydney Smith, Manchester, in 1984.

LED displays are red, green and combined red/green/yello. Can be used plugged into dummy keyboard or brailler.

More

This Braille computer equipment was developed by Sidney Smith, an inventor and educator who developed technology and teaching tools and programmes for the blind in the 1970s and 1980s. Smith was a teacher in Manchester who worked with the Open University and the department of Trade and Industry to install his devices and training techniques in eight local schools in 1984.

His equipment consisted of a Braille training computer keyboard, a prototype adapted microcomputer and Braille equipment developed to teach Braille to children. The device uses lights as visual aids to provide feedback to the child when writing Braille. This was seen to be a simpler way of learning Braille than by using a Braille frame on its own.

Measurements:
80 mm x 187 mm x 395 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1999.33.2.1
type:
computer keyboard
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
Y1999.33.2

Braille training computer light display unit, made by Sydney Smith, 1984

Braille training computer light display unit, made by Sydney Smith, Manchester, in 1984.

LED displays are red, green and combined red/green/yello. Can be used plugged into dummy keyboard or brailler.

More

This Braille computer equipment was developed by Sidney Smith, an inventor and educator who developed technology and teaching tools and programmes for the blind in the 1970s and 1980s. Smith was a teacher in Manchester who worked with the Open University and the department of Trade and Industry to install his devices and training techniques in eight local schools in 1984.

His equipment consisted of a Braille training computer keyboard, a prototype adapted microcomputer and Braille equipment developed to teach Braille to children. The device uses lights as visual aids to provide feedback to the child when writing Braille. This was seen to be a simpler way of learning Braille than by using a Braille frame on its own.

Measurements:
450 mm x 320 mm x 210 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) , plastic (unidentified) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1999.33.2.2
type:
light display unit
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
Y1999.33.2

Braille training computer dummy keyboard, made by Sydney Smith, 1984

Braille training computer dummy keyboard, made by Sydney Smith, Manchester, in 1984.

LED displays are red, green and combined red/green/yello. Can be used plugged into dummy keyboard or brailler.

More

This Braille computer equipment was developed by Sidney Smith, an inventor and educator who developed technology and teaching tools and programmes for the blind in the 1970s and 1980s. Smith was a teacher in Manchester who worked with the Open University and the department of Trade and Industry to install his devices and training techniques in eight local schools in 1984.

His equipment consisted of a Braille training computer keyboard, a prototype adapted microcomputer and Braille equipment developed to teach Braille to children. The device uses lights as visual aids to provide feedback to the child when writing Braille. This was seen to be a simpler way of learning Braille than by using a Braille frame on its own.

Measurements:
90 mm x 150 mm x 310 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) , plastic (unidentified) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1999.33.2.3
type:
computer keyboard
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
Y1999.33.2

Braille training computer LED visual aids, made by Sydney Smith, 1984

Braille training computer LED visual aids, made by Sydney Smith, Manchester, 1984.

More

This Braille computer equipment was developed by Sidney Smith, an inventor and educator who developed technology and teaching tools and programmes for the blind in the 1970s and 1980s. Smith was a teacher in Manchester who worked with the Open University and the department of Trade and Industry to install his devices and training techniques in eight local schools in 1984.

His equipment consisted of a Braille training computer keyboard, a prototype adapted microcomputer and Braille equipment developed to teach Braille to children. The device uses lights as visual aids to provide feedback to the child when writing Braille. This was seen to be a simpler way of learning Braille than by using a Braille frame on its own.

Measurements:
190 mm, 60 mm,
Materials:
stainless steel , plastic , copper , brass and LED displays are red, green and combined red/green/yello. Can be used plugged into dummy keyboard or brailler.
Object Number:
Y1999.33.2.4
type:
visual aids
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
Y1999.33.2
Braille interface units

Braille interface units

Two Braille interface units for connecting the 'Talking Dots' to a BBC computer, made in 1984.

Measurements:
Overall: 30 mm x 60 mm x 110 mm,
Object Number:
Y1999.33.4
type:
braille interface unit
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Perkins Brailler

Perkins Brailler, made and distributed by Howe Memorial Press, Watertown, USA, and modified for use with the training LED display, c.1980.

Measurements:
overall: 7.3 kg
Materials:
With PVC cover and computer connection cable.
Object Number:
Y1999.33.7
type:
brailler
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem