Welcome back to our podcast on the history of transcripts.
In our last episode we traced the evolution of transcripts from the age of the printing
press to the arrival of the typewriter.
This time we are diving into the digital revolution and how computers and word processing
software completely transformed the transcript industry.
The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of the personal computer with systems like the Apple II and
the IBM PC ushering in a new era of word processing.
Rather than laboriously typing out each page, people could now compose, edit, and format
text with the ease of a keyboard.
This had a profound impact on the creation of transcripts, allowing for faster turnaround
times and the ability to easily make revisions.
As computers became more ubiquitous in homes and offices, the process of generating transcripts
shifted from physical, typewritten pages to digital files.
Transcriptionists can now work directly on word processing software and the final transcripts
could be easily printed, copied, or distributed electronically.
This flexibility revolutionized the transcript industry, making it more efficient and accessible
than ever before.
Of course, the digital revolution also brought new challenges, from concerns over data security
to the need for specialized software and equipment.
But overall, the transition to computers and word processors was a game changer, paving
the way for the modern transcript industry that we know today.
Join us next time as we explore the latest innovations shaping the world of transcripts.