Comments on: VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Sonia

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:06:09 +0000

I had a tough time learning to read let along spell. I grew up in a Latin family thus making it hard to learn two languages simultaneously. I am 28 years old now, I had my first speak and spell by the ending of 1st grade or beg of 2nd grade and let me tell you- HALLELUJAH!!!! I know this is a really old article but I have been searching ALL over the net for this device cause I want to buy it for my daughter (i know she is only 7 months) but it made such a HUGE impact in my life, I LOVED my speak and spell, I had to give it away by force cause after a while it drove the family crazy =) Seeing it brings tears to my eyes! ***(((((((HUGS))))))***

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Nicholas Bodley

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:44:08 +0000

Back around 1978, I was an associate editor at Electronic Design magazine, and they assigned me to write up Speak & Spell. We debated for a short while, and agreed that it was OK to call it a "breakthrough". Even as jaded EE types, we were quite impressed by it, pleasantly surprised to see what could be done affordably by the technology of the time. This is the first time I knew about the people involved; it was delightful to read. Many thanks!

Indeed, it's a great pity that almost nobody realizes first, how essentially sophisticated internally it is, and second, how advanced its technology was for its time. (Shades of the Amiga computer!)

Fwiw, only a few minutes ago did I learn (from Wikipedia) what LPC is and how it works.

Best regards,
[nb]

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Bakla si Mark Ryan Ruiz

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:16:56 +0000

Hey! I had this when I was a kid!!!

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Moondog

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:25:30 +0000

I remember a friend had one, and we would giggle as we typed profanities on it.

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: marais

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:07:51 +0000

Excellent article! Although I never owned one, I was deeply impessed by the technology at the time. TI sure had great R&D. I think they still do.

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Michael B

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:49:20 +0000

My parents recently came and brought my old speak and spell - while my daughter is a tad young for it, she loves playing with it. We put the batteries in and out came that familiar startup sound, along with the memories.

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Alex

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:48:38 +0000

I credit this invention for my english proficiency.

If i had to name one invention that really made a difference to my life,this would be it.

Thank you, Mr Wiggins!

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: AMP

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:51:02 +0000

Great interview!

@Kitsunexus: Actually "Spell A" designated the difficulty level. 'A' was the easiest, 'D' was the hardest.

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Brian Hanifin

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:55:12 +0000

I have very fond memories of my Speak and Read. Sometimes the synth voices run through my head (e.g. "WORD ZAP…. LEVEL ONE").

Comment on VC&G Interview: 30 Years Later, Richard Wiggins Talks Speak & Spell Development by: Kitsunexus

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:22:57 +0000

Fascinating! Great article as always, Benj! I bet this guy is responsible for that digital voice encryption the FBI used, and yet he made the Speak And Spell! Hardcore. :3

Also why does the Speak and Spell at the top ask you to spell "A"? A is not very hard to spell. XD