Description

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New Zealanders started hearing things in different ways when new audio technologies arrived from overseas in the late 19th century. In The World’s Din, Peter Hoar documents the arrival of the first such "talking machines" and their growing place in New Zealanders’ public and private lives, through the years of radio to the dawn of television. In so doing, he chronicles a sonic revolution—the radical change in the way New Zealanders heard the world. Audio technology, since its advent in the late 19th century, has been a continued refinement of the original innovation, even in the contemporary era of digital sound, with iPods, streaming audio, and Spotify. The World’s Din is a beautifully written account of this refinement in New Zealand that will delight music-lovers and technophiles everywhere. 

About the Author

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Peter Hoar has worked in radio, television, and journalism, and is also a qualified librarian. His research interests are in the field of sound studies, particularly in history, listening practices, and technology. He regularly contributes concert reviews to Radio New Zealand Concert’s arts program Upbeat as well as documentaries on composers and music. Peter is a passionate believer in the need for well-funded public broadcasting.