How did large congregations of people hear speeches (i.e. Lincoln’s address, and countless other older speeches) without the use of microphones?
In: Technology
Blessed are the *cheesemakers*?
So I know of old churches that have “speaking stones” they were stone slabs that hung over the speaker to reflect their voice to give more clarity and volume to the audience. Humans have found lots of ways to amplify sounds beyond microphone/speaker technology.
I have the answer for this. People would repeat what was being said further back, as in they would pass the word backwards. And speeches would have pauses for this to happen. It is known.
Generally speaking, when speeches were conducted the place was chosen to also amplify the speaker’s voice. Often, the place was built to bounce sound waves about.
It also helped that people were generally bound by a strong moral code, though we may not agree with the code now because the code allowed for horrible atrocities to be committed, and diverting from that code was very much frowned upon. So, if a person would talk too much, they were removed or be socially ostracized, so most people would be quiet.
I think crowds were much quieter and listened. Because of PA systems people in crowds are much louder because they can be. The PA system at a basketball game, for example, is insanely loud. As a result, people in the audience are yelling at the person next to them. It’s like an arms race.
Has anyone on here ever been on the railroad like with freight trains? I am thinking about being a conductor I just need to know what to expect
Nobody has mentioned the significance of the crowd itself. The larger the group, the less each word matters.
If ten thousand people show up, that means:
1. They already know pretty much what to expect.
2. The speaker is very good, so they will use not just volume, but enunciation, rhythm and body language
Think of the performance like a concert. You do not need to hear every word to get the message.
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