This 1977 educational film ” ‘In’side Word Processing” was a presentation by the Information Management Corporation (IMC) and produced by Moynihan Associates. It was apparently one film in a series. The title might imply to a modern audience that the film is about computers, but in reality it is all about voice dictation devices, and options in choosing dictation systems. The film provides an overview of the history of dictation machines, shows how they work, and their advantages for consumers and business. This film includes many different types of “word processing machines” — dictaphones of various types — and explains the features and benefits of each one. It contains footage of transcriptionists at work. Additionally, it describes new advancements in the field that allow for more efficient dictation and transcription.

Dictation machines, referred to in this film as word processing machines, are used to record speech and then transcribe the speech into writing. The first dictation machine was the Tel-Edisette in the 1920s, invented by Valdemar Poulsen. By using a magnetic wire, users could record audio and then play it back later in order to transcribe the speech. The Dictaphone emerged in the 1940s and was easier to use in comparison thanks to its magnetic tape. Then, in the 1960s, cassette-based word processing machines began to appear. This film provides information on the continuous cassette system used by the 1970s Tel-Edisette and also the innovative cartridge disk system. Now, digital technology and smartphones enables people to transcribe and record audio on their phones instead of using a standalone device.

(01:58) An advertisement for the “Ediphone” – Edison’s New Dictating Machine which was created in the 1920s. This dictation device was marketed to business executives.

(02:48) Now, a businessman in 70s can use a telephone to dial a word processing number and then after he hears a beep, everything he says will be recorded to the word processing recorder.

(02:54) An image of a 1970s IBM Executary Dictation System (referred to by the narrator as a word processing device), probably a Model 212.

(02:56) To play back and correct he dials a different number.

(03:12) While they look like normal telephones, they are privately wired.

(03:44) An overview of how other professions such as police officers and secretaries use word processing recorder to dictate and save time.

(03:56) a businessman puts a letter containing a dictaphone tape into a mailbox

(04:03) a secretary types up a dictation on an electric typewriter

(04:34) The businessman gives an overview of the different types of traditional dictating devices such as those that use belts and those that are hand-held and portable.

(04:57) PBX Systems uses voice-activated relay, meaning the device is controlled by your voice and all pauses are eliminated.

(05:27) The microphone for a word processing machine.

(06:07) Transcriptionists work at a word processing center to process dictation recordings, including using electric typewriters

(06:29) The Tel-Edisette continuous cassette transcription machine

(06:35) Endless loop transcribers are a magnetic loop that revolves in a tank to record dictation. They can record and transcribe at the same time.

(07:04) Two operators transcribe a dictation

(07:15) A continuous cassette system automatically loads in new cassettes as needed as seen in the Tel-Edisette.

(07:21) Demonstration of a cartridge disc system

(07:30) Multiple transcribers can work at the same time with this technology.

(07:49) A signal lights up, alerting the transcriber to a new dictation

(07:55) Monitoring panels show the amount of dictation in each recorder.

IBM Electric Typewriter Division manufactured and sold dictation equipment from 1960 until 1982. IBM was the market leader by 1965, outselling their biggest competitor Dictaphone and driving Ediphone (a division of Edison) out of the market entirely. Unit sales peaked in 1969 at 98,000 units, which was roughly a 33% market share.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com