Tour guide systems solve two communication problems: making speech clear and tackling a language barrier. Allan Gordon Finlay and Edward Filene built the first mobile interpreting system in the 1920s. The United Nations perfected this equipment after World War II. However, these tour guide systems were primarily for conferencing purposes.
Tour Guide System
Tour guide systems did not come into play until Willem Sandberg pioneered the first museum audio tour guide systems in 1952. He was the director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. However, the system was only one way and used only pre-recorded audios. The visitor and the guide did not have any direct contact. Personal real-time communication was also impossible.
Tour Guide System
Developments in technology led to the development of machine interpreters and mobile equipment. Significant progress has been in the headset and microphone systems. Initially, microphones were standalone on tabletops with cables connecting it to the console/ transmitter.
Future designs are bound to have the source (microphone), transmitter and the receiver (earphones, headphones) in one tour guide systems. However, you and your visitors can experience the future right now with systems from our company.