Skip to main content

Collection of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) modems

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: RITDSA-0079

Scope and Contents

The collection of TDD include:

  • 1983 Ultratec MINICOM II - An enhanced, extremely low-cost TTY that quickly became the market leader.
  • 1985 Ultratec SUPERPRINT SERIES - The first modular, upgradeable series of printing TTYs with memory, auto-answer, ASCII, and human engineering to simplify training and use.
  • 1987 Ultratec introduces the SUPERCOM, the first low-cost fully featured TTY.
  • Dates

    • Creation: 1985-1988

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open to researchers.

    Historical Information

    According to Mary Karol Matchett (on the deed of gift): The Mimicom TTY was purchased from Mr. Paul Peterson, back in mid-1980s while I was a student at NTID/RIT. Mr. Paul Peterson was a math instructor at NTID and was selling a variety of TTY's to the deaf community. The Superprint TTY was purchased from Mr. Paul Peterson or through Harris Communication company back in 1991.

    TDD actually stands for a “telecommunication device for the deaf.” A TDD is a teleprinter. It is an electronic device which aids people with hearing or speech difficulties with communication through text and telephone lines. There are several other names that can be used for this device such as a TTY, textphone (commonly used in Europe), teletypewriter and minicom (commonly used in the United Kingdom). The average TDD is similar in size to a small laptop computer and has a QWERTY keyboard. It also has a small display screen that shows the text. TDD's also often have a small paper spool where the text is also printed. Text can be transmitted from one TDD device to another via phone lines or it can still be used when only one person has a TDD. If a deaf person with a TDD calls someone who does not have a TDD, a TDD message relay (answering service) is needed. In this three person arrangement, the dual party operator actually utilizes two telephones where one is used in conjunction with a TDD in order to finish the call. For example, a person with a TDD uses the device to send a message to the relay service who then reads the message. The service uses a second telephone to call the intended party and repeats the message by voice to the recipient. This is truly a great device for use with deaf education.

    Source:http://www.deafwebsites.com/technology/telecommunication-devices.html

    Extent

    1.3 Linear Feet (added to file box with another DSA collection)

    Language

    English

    Overview

    Three examples of telecommunication devices for the deaf from the 1980's.

    Arrangement

    There is no arrangement for this collection.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    The collection was donated to RIT Archive Collections by Mary Karol Matchett from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in October 2012. Accession number(s): 2012:067

    Related Materials

    RITDSA.0075: Robert H. Weitbrecht and James C. Marsters TTY modem

    RITDSA.0067: TeleTypewriter (TTY) phones

    RITDSA.0008: Lee Brody TTY collection

    RITDSA.0134: Alan and Vicki Hurwitz collection

    RITDSA.0148: Collection of Compact portable TTY, DPG newsletters, and NICD bookmarks

    RITDSA.0182: New York Relay Service promotional materials

    Processing Information

    Finding aid created by Jody Sidlauskas in November 2012.

    Title
    Collection of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) modems
    Status
    Published
    Subtitle
    RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive
    Author
    Jody Sidlauskas
    Date
    30 November 2012
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    Undetermined
    Script of description
    Code for undetermined script
    Language of description note
    English

    Repository Details

    Part of the RIT Archives Repository

    Contact:
    Rochester NY 14623 USA