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Understanding McLuhan
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Understanding McLuhan (1996)(Voyager)[Mac-PC].iso
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07062_Field_TCUM T627.txt
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of a prolonged attempt beginning in the seventeenth century
to mimic human physiology by mechanical means. It is very
much in the nature of the electric telephone, therefore, that it
has such natural congruity with the organic. On the advice of a
Boston surgeon, Dr. C. J. Blake, the receiver of the phone was
directly modelled on the bone and diaphragm structure of the
human ear. Bell paid much attention to the work of the great
Helmholtz, whose work covered many fields. Indeed, it was
because of his conviction that Helmholtz had sent vowels by
telegraph that Bell was encouraged to persevere in his efforts.
It turned out that it was his inadequate German that had
fostered this optimistic impression. Helmholtz had failed to
achieve any speech effects by wire. But Bell argued, if vowels
could be sent, why not consonants? “I thought that Helmholtz,
himself, had done it, and that my failure was due only to my
ignorance of electricity. It was a very valuable blunder. It gave