What is a speaking tube?
The
speaking tube, also known as a megaphone or voice, is a simple, mechanical short -range mechanical gear device, consisting of a metal tube or a pipe that stretches from one fixed placement to another, often with horns in the shape of the corners at both ends. These tubes were most often used in older buildings and on board ships, but gradually fell out of normal use with the advent of more sophisticated communication systems such as telephone, radio and intercom. In 2011, it is sometimes found in places that have been preserved for their historical significance, old buildings, some older ships and even on playgrounds as amusement for children.
On board ships, it is more likely to talk about voicepipe, in accordance with the long naval tradition of a unique nomenclature for many items and practices. On the ground, a device of this type is called a speaking tube or sometimes a megaphone. Their history dates back to at least the 17th century and maybe Evan earlier. Were the most common on lLiving, especially warships, although it was not unusual, that they would also be on large commercial ships, especially when the ships in the 19th and early 20th century increased. They were often found in large buildings, in the homes of rich private citizens and sometimes in cars, trains or aircraft.
The typical speaking tube consists of a long length of the pipe, almost always metal, which stretches from one place in the other in the place where fast road is required. The tube, usually in diameter from 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm), can be very long, sometimes hundreds of feet (1 foot = 0.3 meters) and could have many bends. The bends are produced with smooth arches in metal rather than angular corners, as angle corners reduce the efficiency of sound transmission. Both are mounted a corner or funnel in the shape of a funnel -circuit, evoke the proverb: "Stand on the corner", which is still used to this day. The speaking tube is capable ofTransfer conversational speech through a simple sound reinforcement in focused sound through the corners and tubes, so it seems that listeners, if the speaker was next to them.
Where these devices were and sometimes still used, it is common to find more than one tight, so one person can communicate with several other areas aboard a ship or building. For example, there may be several voice sheets on the bridge of the older boat that lead to various areas such as engine room, captain's quarters or Gunnery station in the case of a war ship. In some cases, after the arrival of more advanced communication systems, speaking tube systems and voice points were used as backup systems.
In very long -speaking tubes, the ends were often equipped with removable whistles that allowed the person to signal the other side of this road at one end. On board boats and other vehicles, tubes were often insulated by launching the fabric to reduce the RUnoise. The horns covers prevented water from entering the open deck. Some later voice points, especially on warships, were even equipped with emergency valves to be sealed to prevent water leakage from one section to another in case of failure of the torso.