You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Golden Clip Was Actually Used For!
September 18, 2024
Source: Reddit
Do you recall a period when people used to wear hearing aids which could be described as ornaments in a way? Picture this: a 1960s family reunion in which people are yelling over one another as they chat in the kitchen. Grandpa is at the head of the table, silently playing with a small wire that is connected to his shirt- a hearing aid with a clip which has a tiny horse on it. It is a functional accessory but at the same time it is a piece of clothing that represents fashion and style in a rather rare combination with technology.
That tiny invention, the Beltone transistor tie clip, was not only a device to help hear better; it was a piece of hardware to show off. At that time hearing aids were rather small, and not as unnoticeable as they are today, and certainly not as small as the so called “completely-in-the-canal” hearing aids. However, they were worn freely, and at times with a lot of pride, and were even accompanied with other things that enhanced their look. Now that opalescent horse on the clip was not just to keep the cord in place, it was a style statement, an indicator of the effort put into even something as mundane as a clip.
The Beltone, a leading company in production of hearing aids, was famous for coming up with devices that were efficient as well as easy to use. Beltone hearing aids was developed in the 1940s and rapidly became popular mainly due to its mission of enhancing the quality of sound and at the same time minimizing the size of the hearing devices that were previously huge and clumsy. By the 1960s, Beltone had also such accessories as a transistor tie clip illustrated here which combined style with practicality.
For most, this clip was no longer an issue of improved hearing; it was about regaining a self-esteem. Rather than keeping the hearing aid concealed, Beltone integrated it into the outfit of the user. The transistor technology fitted into the decorative clip improved sound reproduction thus making it easier to hear what was being said in the room.
In the middle of the 20th century people were experiencing the technological advancements in their daily lives. People were fascinated by the new gadgets that seemed to come out of nowhere: Transistor radios, televisions and even hearing aids – yes the same hearing aids that are used today. The transistor tie clip symbolised that people were beginning to adopted technology for personal use. It was not the case anymore that medical devices are bulky and cumbersome; they were slowly becoming an everyday wear and accessory.
Consider for instance the transistor radio, the changes it brought about to the music experience. In the same way, the Beltone transistor clip improved the hearing experience in the same way. Individuals could immerse themselves in their environments and interact during such functions as family and church meetings or community event without drawing attention to themselves because of the devices they used. It was a small aspect of the design but was important in the sense that it impacted positively on the lives of its users.
When looking at the beltone transistor clip today one cannot help but be amazed at the amount of effort that was put into it. The gold plating, the sleek design and the horse with an opalescent finish gives it a look of a vintage piece of jewelry than an aid to hearing.< This is something that makes you remember a time when even the tiniest of electronic devices were made with passion, they were not only functional but also beautiful.
For most of the population such an object will evoke certain associations, for example, seeing it one may be reminded of a grandmother or a grandfather who wore something similar. The above objects were not mere commodities; they were an extension of the family and played an active role in the daily routine of the family as they would with other furniture like the family’s favorite chair or the radio set that was used to listen to news in the evening. Still, these pieces remain interesting and nostalgic, they make us recall the past when technology was not only new but also somehow mysterious.
It is impossible to overestimate Beltone’s role in the development of the hearing aid industry. They physically gave sound a voice for millions of people, but they did it in the most fashionable manner possible. This was seen in the transistor clip which was just one example of how they integrated design elements with the everyday use of the product to enhance comfort and confidence of the wearer.
These days, we cannot even imagine how hearing aids look like and work, and antique pieces like this Beltone clip make us aware of it. It was a time when technology innovation wasn’t simply making things work better but was part of people’s lives, the spirit of the age.
These days, people are surrounded by rather cold and technical products that look and feel very technical, so, something that has some warmth to it and is done by hand, has its appeal. This little transistor clip in this picture is a good reminder that technology is not only useful but also should be beautiful, even in the 60s. Perhaps, while looking at these relics we can marvel at the advancement that we have made and yet not forget the creativity of yesterday’s designers.