The Speak & Spell, an iconic electronic learning toy introduced by Texas Instruments in 1978, revolutionized educational devices. Combining speech synthesis and interactive games, it helped children learn spelling and pronunciation in an engaging way. The device's distinctive voice and user-friendly interface made it an instant hit among kids and adults, establishing it as one of the most popular and enduring electronic educational toys ever created.

In this episode, we explore the history, design, and technology behind the Speak & Spell, as well as its lasting impact on education and popular culture. We examine its technical innovations and design elements that made it special, while also discussing broader topics such as the design principles of educational devices, open-ended play, and the connection between teaching machines and artificial intelligence. Join us as we look to shape the future of design by learning from the past.

Join us as we shape the future of design by learning from the past

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Hosts: Albert Shum and Thamer Abanami

Production and Post-production: Romina Hakim, Toño Tellez and Poonam Patel

Music: Red Lips Media LLC

Brand Design: Rafael Poloni