Claudivs Converse, invented at the BT Test Equipment Design Centre, manufactured by Crystalate Electronics for British Telecom, Hove, England, 1985.

Claudivs was an acronym for 'Calling Line Announcements Using Digitally Integrated Voice Synthesis'. This was an 'electronic voice' for use by people with speech problems. Sixty four recorded messages could be played through a loudspeaker or down a telephone line by pressing a key. Phrases were chosen, then recorded and transferred digitally onto a speech synthesis microchip, which was installed into the unit. Male and female voices were available. The project was supported by BT Action in the Interests of the Disabled.

Credit: BT Heritage and Archives [IA project 26/2/14]