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Dictabelt



In the course of examining a small collection of documents, I recently came
across a "Dictabelt".  This appears to be a flexible blue plastic sleeve,
three or four inches in width and perhaps twelve inches in circumference,
which is wrapped flat around two cardboard prongs inside a stiff cardboard
mailing envelope.  Judging by the context of the collection, it probably
dates from the late 1960's.

A little preliminary research has told me that this was a sound recording
format which was used before about 1970.  What I haven't found, yet, is
where I might locate a machine capable of playing it.  I've noticed that
some of the presidential libraries (JFK, LBJ, etc.) have transcripts of
presidential Dictabelt recordings, so I presume that they have operating
machines.  I'd like to locate one closer to home, though, if that's possible.

I'm also concerned that long storage in a stretched flat position may have
creased the belt in such a way as to affect its playability.

Does anyone on the archives list have any words of wisdom?  Is there any
kind of readily available directory of institutions that keep operating
playback machines for obsolete recording formats?  And has anyone had
experience with transcribing such recordings, or converting them into more
readily accessible formats?  Any information would be appreciated.

Bradley A. Scott
Reference librarian & archival student
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan, USA.

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