Acoustic coupler for teletypewriter signals
In 1963, Dr. Robert H. Weitbrecht, an American physicist who was deaf, developed an acoustic coupler that could send and receive teletypewriter signals over the telephone lines. His invention, the Weitbrecht Modem, enabled people who are deaf to use the telephone for the first time. While modern technology now makes it possible to build advanced microcomputer devices like the Ultratec text telephone, the Weitbrecht modem remains the major technological breakthrough that began telecommunications for the deaf. RICM wishes to acknowledge the importance of Dr. Weitbrecht’s contribution to the welfare of people who are deaf the world over.