The Bone Fone was a wearable radio that draped around the user's neck like a scarf. Bill Hass invented the device, [1] and JS&A marketed it in 1979. [2] [3] According to the marketing materials, the Bone Fone resonated sound through the wearer's bones. [4]
The device represents an evolutionary step from hand-held electronics ( transistor radios) to wearable technology ( Walkman, iPod, smart phone). The Bone Fone did not achieve the longevity of transistor radios, originating in 1947, and surviving to the present. The Sony Walkman line achieved greater popularity; iPods and smartphones achieved greater impact. But, the Bone Fone helped make the transition to products users could wear, freeing the hands for other activities, such as exercise or gardening. [5] [6] [7] In late 2019, Sony introduced a similar, though much less-rugged product, the SRS-WS1 Wearable Neck Speaker. [8]
See also
- Astraltune
- List of radios – List of specific models of radios
References
- ^ "The Technological Breakthough[sic] of 1979: THE BONE FONE!". Forces of Geek. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Bone Fone, the Terror!". The Atlantic. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Bone Fone". Radiomuseum. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Bone Fone (Nov, 1980)". Modern Mechanix. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Traffica Article about Bone Fone".
- ^ "Is Bone Conduction The Future of Headphones?". 25 February 2013.
- ^ "11 Crazy Inventions That Nobody Ever Needed". Slapped Ham. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Sony Wearable Neck Speaker". Sony. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
 | This article related to radio is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
The Bone Fone was a wearable radio that draped around the user's neck like a scarf. Bill Hass invented the device, [1] and JS&A marketed it in 1979. [2] [3] According to the marketing materials, the Bone Fone resonated sound through the wearer's bones. [4]
The device represents an evolutionary step from hand-held electronics ( transistor radios) to wearable technology ( Walkman, iPod, smart phone). The Bone Fone did not achieve the longevity of transistor radios, originating in 1947, and surviving to the present. The Sony Walkman line achieved greater popularity; iPods and smartphones achieved greater impact. But, the Bone Fone helped make the transition to products users could wear, freeing the hands for other activities, such as exercise or gardening. [5] [6] [7] In late 2019, Sony introduced a similar, though much less-rugged product, the SRS-WS1 Wearable Neck Speaker. [8]
See also
- Astraltune
- List of radios – List of specific models of radios
References
- ^ "The Technological Breakthough[sic] of 1979: THE BONE FONE!". Forces of Geek. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Bone Fone, the Terror!". The Atlantic. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Bone Fone". Radiomuseum. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Bone Fone (Nov, 1980)". Modern Mechanix. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Traffica Article about Bone Fone".
- ^ "Is Bone Conduction The Future of Headphones?". 25 February 2013.
- ^ "11 Crazy Inventions That Nobody Ever Needed". Slapped Ham. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Sony Wearable Neck Speaker". Sony. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
|
| This article related to radio is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |