Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

definite use in bringing about closer relationships between employer and worker, in large plants particularly. It also takes the worker's mind oflf his own real or imaginary troubles and makes him feel that he is part of the organization. Even though this may not always reveal itself in an immediate output increase on a specific operation, the net long- range effect on any organization is self-evident. Many Studies Made The studies by Dr. Kerr were made in various plants of the RCA Victor Division. Many somewhat similar studies have been made for shorter periods by users of RCA equipment, and others. S. Wyatt and .J. N. Langdon report that the British Industrial Health Research Hoard found an increase in output ranging from 6.2 to 11.3 per cent while music was being played, while the total daily output showed an increase of 2.6 and 6.0 per cent. The long-run effect was noted by Wynford Reynolds of the British Broadcasting Company. "First of all," said Mr. Pleynolds, "do not expect the wrong things from music: do not expect it to act as an immediate means of speeding up. It is a tonic like a cup of tea. something to cheer the mind. You will get increased output all right, but it will be spread over the work- spell as a whole. You will not nec- essarily get it while the music is actually being played." The RCA Victor Division is in a particularly favorable position to evaluate factors such as the fore- going, as well as the varying effects of different kinds of music for dif- ferent types of work, because of its own long experience in the field. RCA plant broadcasting and in- dustrial music activities are cen- tralized in the Sound and Picture Section of the Industrial and Sound Department. This department is in constant touch with new ideas and methods developed by users of RCA sound equipment. In this connec- tion, it might be noted that RCA is the only company that manufac- tures every item of equipment going into the most complete sound system. Installations are made by RCA engineers, and though all the in- dividual units have been standard- ized, every system is custom-made to meet specific requirements. As the first step in this process, a sci- entific sound survey is made in the plant where the system is to be installed. Noise level readings are taken. The physical layout of the buildings is studied. Notations are made of acoustic obstacles to be overcome. From these studies it is possible to determine exactly what e(iuipment is required, where it should be placed and the right vol- ume at which it should be operated. After the actual installation has been made the next step for the user is to acquire a sound system operator, who assumes responsibil- ity for its operations. RCA Victor provides a manual of operating in- structions, and special training schools are made available to pur- chasers at various times throughout the year. A few of the points cov- ered in the instruction courses are: planning the program, use of the microphones, setting up area con- trols, recording, rehearsing live talent, and the filing and care of I'ecords. Employees Cooperate With the system in operation, the RCA Victor Division supplies a third service designed to uncover any special conditions that may exist in the plant. For this purpose special "attitudes toward music" blanks are distributed to employ- ees. These contain a list of sixty- one selections, divided into thirteen distinct types of music. The em- ployees are asked to check what they like best in the preliminary programs being broadcast to them from the selections in the Victor Music library. These blanks are tabulated, studied and charted. The Music Library Service at present offers a choice of three rec- ord libraries. These are the Meal- time Library, containing 100 select- ed standard recordings: the Econ- WORKERS DOING MONOTONOUS TASKS, EXTREME LEFT, ARE AIDED BY MUSIC, AND KEPT INFORMED OF PLANT HAP- PENINGS BY PAGE GIRL AT "MIKE," CENTER. TYPISTS AND OTHER OFFICE EMPLOYEES, BELOW, ALSO FIND RELIEF IN WELL-CHOSEN PROGRAMS. [RADIO AGE 21