Technology is so widely available that we hardly ever stop to consider how our lives would be different without it. When a new product comes on the market we, as consumers, are so jaded that we even view breakthroughs with an “hmmm”.
If a life changing invention was to show up on shelves tomorrow, how long before it would become boring or passé?
In 1952 a life changing product did come on the market and a whole community stood up and took notice. A small publishing company in England published the first audio book. A quaint little Christmas story, read by Dylan Thomas, opened the pages of books for the blind.
The first audio books were recorded on albums. Cassette audio books did not arrive on the scene until the 1950′s. They are now widely available in several formats including CDs and MP3s. With the widespread use and accessibility of technology, and the availability of thousands of titles, audio books have become a growing niche market.
Audio books were first created for the blind.
The recordings were able to open up a whole new world for people with disabilities. As the desire for more books increased, many kinds of recordings began to be published. What started as a book for the entertainment and enjoyment of the blind has led to the availability of textbook audio books, class notes on tape, and countless books of every genre.
Audio books are easy to use, do not require expensive equipment, and are inexpensive.
You will also find audio books for free, especially on the internet where you can download the recorded book for no cost. Publishers are adding different elements to the audio books to make them interesting such as music, sound effects, and even multiple readers to give the story depth.
The benefits of audio books are too numerous to list.
The blind are no longer required to have a reading partner. They do not have to lug around heavy Braille books. They have faster access to new books as the audio books are released in conjunction with physical books. Most importantly they now have the option to enjoy books wherever and whenever they desire.
Thinking of the sweeping changes audio books made in the lives of the blind gives one a renewed appreciation of technology. Yes, technology makes our life easier. And there is a lot of technology available. But we must forget that technology has the power to revolutionize lives.
A Breakthrough For the Blind - Audio Books For the Blind
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