Mechanical Talking Heads
There is a long history of attempts to build mechanical "talking heads." Speech synthesis#Mechanical devices. Gerbert (d. 1003), Albertus Magnus (1198–1280) and Roger Bacon (1214–1294) are all said to have built speaking heads (Wheatstone 1837). However, historically confirmed speech synthesis begins with Wolfgang von Kempelen (1734–1804), who published an account of his research in 1791 (see also Dudley and Tarnoczy 1950).
Read more about this topic: Articulatory Synthesis
Famous quotes containing the words mechanical, talking and/or heads:
“Industry has operated against the artisan in favor of the idler, and also in favor of capital and against labor. Any mechanical invention whatsoever has been more harmful to humanity than a century of war.”
—Rémy De Gourmont (1858–1915)
““You might just as well say,” added the Dormouse, which seemed to be talking in its sleep, “that ‘I breath when I sleep’ is the same thing as ‘I sleep when I breathe’!””
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)
“Boys and girls may sit together, but they know the rules. I must be able to see both heads and all hands at all times.”
—Melody Clarke, U.S. school-bus driver. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 23 (December 19, 1994)