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Before the operation, my speech had been getting more slurred, so that only a few people who knew me well, could understand me. But at least I could communicate. I wrote scientific papers by dictating to a secretary, and I gave seminars through an interpreter, who repeated my words more clearly. However, the tracheotomy operation removed my ability to speak altogether. For a time, the only way I could communicate was to spell out words letter by letter, by raising my eyebrows when someone pointed to the right letter on a spelling card. It is pretty difficult to carry on a conversation like that, let alone write a scientific paper. However, a computer expert in California, called Walt Woltosz, heard of my plight. He sent me a computer program he had written, called Equalizer. This allowed me to select words from a series of menus on the screen, by pressing a switch in my hand. The program could also be controlled by a switch, operated by head or eye movement. When I have built up what I want to say, I can send it to a speech synthesizer. At first, I just ran the Equalizer program on a desk top computer.
However David Mason, of Cambridge Adaptive Communication, fitted a small portable computer and a speech synthesizer to my wheel chair. This system allowed me to communicate much better than I could before. I can manage up to 15 words a minute. I can either speak what I have written, or save it to disk. I can then print it out, or call it back and speak it sentence by sentence. Using this system, I have written a book, and dozens of scientific papers. I have also given many scientific and popular talks. They have all been well received. I think that is in a large part due to the quality of the speech synthesiser, which is made by Speech Plus. One's voice is very important. If you have a slurred voice, people are likely to treat you as mentally deficient: Does he take sugar? This synthesiser is by far the best I have heard, because it varies the intonation, and doesn't speak like a Dalek. The only trouble is that it gives me an American accent"

... Direct quote from Stephen Hawking's website

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14y ago
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11y ago

stephen hawking's computer can talk by stephen hawking saying something in his mind which the computer can read because its a smart computer

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11y ago

Stephen Hawking has a computer strapped to his wheelchair the computer is operated through his eye and head movement it selects what he wants to say!!

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11y ago

He has a form of ALS.

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Q: How is Stephen Hawking able to talk using a computer?
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How does steven hawking type?

Stephen Hawking was able to type using a specially designed computer system. He used a switch attached to his glasses, which allowed him to select letters and words on a computer screen. The computer then generated synthesized speech based on his selections.


Will Stephen hawking listen to my ideas?

It is unlikely that Stephen Hawking, who passed away in 2018, will be able to listen to your ideas. However, you can still share your ideas with others who may be interested in hearing them or explore ways to contribute to scientific discussions or research communities.


How will Stephen hawking's theory about black holes help the world?

This will help the world by helping us more understand about black holes for when we are able to travel farther into the universe.


Why did Stephen Hawking give more credit in science to Galileo than Albert Einstein?

He was born exactly 300 years after GalileoI'd kinda think that it more relates to the foundations that Galileo had been able to establish of which Albert Einstein was then able to form his theories


Was Stephen hawking paralyzed?

He is not paralyzed, he suffers from ALS (or, in American colloquialisms: Lou Gerig's Disease). The computer system attached to his wheelchair is operated by Hawking via an infra-red 'blink switch' clipped onto his glasses. By scrunching his right cheek up, he is able to talk, compose speeches and research papers, browse the World Wide Web, and write e-mails. The system also uses radio transmission to provide control over doors in his home and office.

Related questions

Who are scientist able to make history in physics?

Galileo, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking


How does steven hawking type?

Stephen Hawking was able to type using a specially designed computer system. He used a switch attached to his glasses, which allowed him to select letters and words on a computer screen. The computer then generated synthesized speech based on his selections.


Is Stephen Hawking having seizures when he talks about super string theory?

No, he isn't. If he were having a seizure, he would not be able to communicate the idea at all.


Will Stephen hawking listen to my ideas?

It is unlikely that Stephen Hawking, who passed away in 2018, will be able to listen to your ideas. However, you can still share your ideas with others who may be interested in hearing them or explore ways to contribute to scientific discussions or research communities.


How will Stephen hawking's theory about black holes help the world?

This will help the world by helping us more understand about black holes for when we are able to travel farther into the universe.


Can Stephen Hawking say anything he wants when he wants?

Not necessarily. He uses a computer software that helps him speak, as he had pneumonia and had to have a surgery, so he wouldn't be able to talk normal again. He could say many words, but it takes him a long time to say anything, because he controls the software with his cheeks.


Is there or use to be a crippled scientist?

Yes Stephen Hawking is almost completely paralyzed. He is only able to communicate via a voice synthesizer that he control with his cheek (one of the only body parts he can still move)


Why did Stephen Hawking give more credit in science to Galileo than Albert Einstein?

He was born exactly 300 years after GalileoI'd kinda think that it more relates to the foundations that Galileo had been able to establish of which Albert Einstein was then able to form his theories


Who is able to tell from afar if one is online using their computer?

One can be able to tell if someone is online using their computer by logging into the computer remotely. Remote access allows one to use their computer, files and information from another computer at a different location.


How is the sun able to constantly produce nuclear fusion?

think of it, this way, it's a positive of a black hole. Meaning that this singularity has achieved enough mass to support nuclear fusion caused but extreme gravitational pull of the singularity. but much is thoerized by Stephen Hawking, and his notes on the hawking molecule that should give you the information you need.


Was Stephen hawking paralyzed?

He is not paralyzed, he suffers from ALS (or, in American colloquialisms: Lou Gerig's Disease). The computer system attached to his wheelchair is operated by Hawking via an infra-red 'blink switch' clipped onto his glasses. By scrunching his right cheek up, he is able to talk, compose speeches and research papers, browse the World Wide Web, and write e-mails. The system also uses radio transmission to provide control over doors in his home and office.


What if you save a picture to your computer and the computer is not yours?

If you save a picture to a computer that is not yours, anyone who has access to that computer will be able to view your photo. You will not be able to access the photo yourself unless you are using that computer yourself. When you are using a computer that isn't yours, you would usually want to save pictures to a flash drive or to an account on a photo storage site like Picasa.