The First Headset On The Moon!

The First Headset On The Moon! - Headset Sales Ltd

Plantronics, History in the making!

In 1961, one of the founders of Plantronics was asked by a NASA astronaut to design a communications headset for the spacecraft Mercury. Plantronics formed an offshoot division they named SPENCOMM, Space Environmental Communications.

This division designed a usable and wearable microphone headset in just 11 days for the Mercury-Atlas 8 endeavor. These headsets were later used for the Apollo missions and are still used by NASA to this day.

On 21st July 1969, at 02:56:15 UTC, the first words of Commander Neil Armstrong as he stepped on to the moons surface were spoken through a Plantronics MS50 headset, ''One small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind" and transmitted back to earth via the Plantronics headset. 

 

Plantronics lead the way in communication.

Helen Sharman CMG OBE, the first British astronaut, joined as a guest speaker to discuss her life in space and the importance of communications technology.

Paul Clark, SVP and EMEA MD at Poly comments: “The Apollo 11 landing was not only a momentous event in space history, but a pivotal moment for Poly. Through our focus on research and development we are developing world-leading communication technologies that power human connection and collaboration, ideal for those who also carry out their own mission-critical tasks in daily lives.”

The Plantronics MS50 headset was initially supplied to commercial airline pilots in 1962 before being implanted into an astronaut’s helmet by Pacific Plantronics (now Plantronics Inc.). It took only 11 days for the team and NASA to create a working microphone design, including noise-cancelling features, and it was used throughout the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions.

The Plantronics MS50 commercial aviation headset has been used by pilots for over 40 years and, with approval by the Federal Aviation Administration, a modified version was developed for air-traffic controllers. Since then, Poly has developed a full range of consumer and business communication products and its headsets, desk phones, and audio and video conferencing solutions are used worldwide.

Amy Barzdukas, EVP and CMO at Poly, comments: “Our unique heritage in mission-critical communication has laid the foundation for the technology we bring to market today. Poly’s focus on innovation is empowering people across the world by creating amazing ways for them to hear, see, work and collaborate in today’s increasingly digital world.”

About Poly

Plantronics, Inc. (“Poly”) (NYSE: PLT) is a global communications company that powers meaningful human connection and collaboration. Poly combines legendary audio expertise and powerful video and conferencing capabilities to overcome the distractions, complexity and distance that make communication in and out of the workplace challenging. Poly believes in solutions that make life easier when they work together and with our partners’ services. Our headsets, software, desk phones, audio and video conferencing, analytics and services are used worldwide and are a leading choice for every kind of workspace. For more information visit www.poly.com

Poly, the propeller design, and the Poly logo are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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