The Clapper wasn't all that great. The microphone that picked up the sound of clapping was sometimes too sensitive, sending signals the users didn't want. Sometimes it wasn't sensitive enough, mistaking a clap for white noise and not toggling the signal. Because of this it was often referred to as 'The Crapper'. Despite this, The Clapper sold very well and gained a lot of popularity. By late 1990, over 7 million clappers were sold.
The Clapper did what no other home automation system had done at that point. It showed there was a market for home automation. It may not have been the $97 million invention they envisioned, but it got consumers excited and paved the way for the systems we use today such as Alexa or Ring.
Sources:
https://tedium.co/2018/03/22/the-clapper-history/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2018/02/16/neca-chia-pet-the-clapper/#2d64372b3972
This was so entertaining to read! I would like to add onto your analysis on how The Clapper became "The Crapper." Due to this criticism, developers actually improved the device so that it can be trained by users. This includes being able to distinguish different clap sequences and perform their functions (ie. turn off the lamp, turn off the lights on the Christmas tree). Even though The Clapper may not be as sought out today as Alexa or Ring, as you mentioned, it still serves as an inspiration for developers. For example, a recent app allows owners to turn their phone into a miniature clap-activated bedside lamp! It truly was an innovation that kickstarted the transfer of technology into the household.
ReplyDeleteSource:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/clapper4.htm
I like how you broke down how The Clapper works and its origin story. I had heard of this device before but never thought about how it came to be. As you mentioned, The Clapper was big step in terms of being a computerized appliance using a micro controller. To try and catch only the sound of a clap, the machine was trained to hear frequencies around 2500Hz. Although, there are many other noises in the world around that range as well. Not only that, but in an extreme case when someone couldn't get The Clapper to turn on, the company was sued. This was because the customer claimed she injured her hands trying to turn The Clapper on. Turns out, she hadn't turned the sensitivity on. And how could one forget the commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIgR_rJs9aM).
ReplyDeleteSource:
https://medium.com/people-gadgets/the-gadget-we-miss-the-clapper-be6ef8534a40
I like how you explained the Clapper as both a success as well as the difficulties that came with the device. It's interesting to think about how great of an addition this was to the tech boom. To add onto your description, the clapper didn't have to only control one thing, but could control many different appliances, from a lamp to a disco ball; obviously the sequence of the claps were different, but it could control anything as long as it was plugged into the Clapper's electrical outlets.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://home.howstuffworks.com/clapper.htm