Transmit/Recieve Making and Experimenting with First World War Sound Technologies

A project is offering the chance to get hands on and engage with sound technologies from a century ago that shaped Britain’s First World War effort. Transmit/Receive is led by Newcastle University researchers Tim Shaw, John Bowers and Tom Schofield and features two ‘making’ workshops at Discovery Museum (25 October and 8 November) followed by a further two days of experimentation in the field (14 and 15 November). At the making sessions, Shaw, Bowers and Schofield will guide participants as they build hydrophones, Morse code transmitters, short-range radio transmitters and carbon granule microphones. The groups will then be encouraged to attend experimentation sessions to test their devices at significant First World War locations in Tynemouth. Messages will be transmitted, received and decoded between the groups to give a rare insight into the pioneering technology of the time. Tim Shaw said: “The First World War accelerated technological innovation and devices were developed to generate or listen to sound. “Listening was a key strategy in the war effort; however, no known sound recordings from the time exist. There’s an interesting space for creatively imagining what these technologies actually sounded like and that has inspired the project.” Workshop Listings Transmit/Receive – Workshop One – Sunday 25 October, 12-3pm, Discovery Museum, £6 (plus booking fee), advance booking essential At this first event you will build and use your own hydrophone (underwater microphone) and Morse code transmitter. You will also explore their use during the First World War. No prior specialist or technical knowledge is needed to attend and materials are included in the price. Transmit/Receive – Workshop Two – Sunday 8 November, 12-3pm, Discovery Museum, £6 (plus booking fee), advance booking essential At this second workshop you will build and use your own short-range radio transmitter and carbon granule microphone. You will also explore their use during the First World War. No prior specialist or technical knowledge is needed to attend and materials are included in the price. Transmit/Receive – Field Experiments – Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, 11am-4pm both days, free All participants will be invited to test these devices at a range of significant First World War locations across Tynemouth, including sites of former radio towers and gun batteries. Participants will test the technology, transmitting and receiving messages that draw on a mixture of archival material and contemporary sounds. Places for both workshops are limited. Workshops are £6 each. Tickets should be booked in advance via www.discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/transmit-receive. Online booking fees apply. It is free to participate in the field experiments. All attendees must be aged 16 or over.