INCREASING OFFICE USE OF DICTATING MACHINES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28261, 26 April 1957, Page 14

INCREASING OFFICE USE OF DICTATING MACHINES

Shorthand writers may not exist in the office of tomorrow becapse of the appearance of the dictating machine, says the “Public Service Journal,” which is published by the Public Service Commission. As “Number, please” disappeared with the installation of the dial telephone, so the phrase “take a letter” may soon be discontinued. A revolution in the office may see the dictating machines replace shorthand just as the typewriter replaced the pen. In future years, the dictating machine could rank with typewriters as an essential part of office equipment. When the first dictating machines were introduced 60 years ago, they had black wax cylinders to record the spoken words. Modern recorders, however, may have either a flexible plastic disc, an improved cylinder device, a tape and/or wire, or a plastic belt. Electronic more than acoustic recordings is favoured, because the dictation and playing-back is easier. Microphones replace the old dictating tubes. For the typist, there is no heavy headset, but a soft-speaker stand on her

desk and a plastic earset weighing less than half-an-ounce. Disc recordings can be mailed in an envelope, are easily filed and are not easily broken. Because of the disc, the dictating machine is as portable as a typewriter.

There is no limit to the uses the machine can be put to. Doctors record conversations with their patients and are able to build case histories in a convenient form, without relying on the assistant’s shorthand. Court rooms now use the machines to aid the stenographers. In spite of the obvious advantages, some people dislike using dictating machines, says the Journal. Businessmen said that girls using the machines all day would be exhaused and the typing would cause “cancer of the fingers.” “If you ask me to use a dictating machine I am leaving!” is a remark heard often. It is not easy to establish why the typists object to the modern recorder. Perhaps it is the fear that the shorthand, laboriously mastered and at some expense, too, may become “rusty” without constant practice. Qualifications ■might suffer for another position where shorthand is essential.

Dictating machines are now being adopted in ever-increasing numbers in spite of the fears and hesitation of many. This newer way of converting speech to type could have far-reaching effects,, causing shorthand writing to disappear. Programmes of commercial and secretarial schools may be shortened and be concentrated on typing, spelling, punctuation, business methods, and office techniques. Time alone will tell, if these possibilities become realities, says the Journal. Meanwhile, the duel between the dictating machine and the shorthand writer has begun, with the odds, it seems, against the competent girl with notebook and pencil.