From Robert Herman, Port Orchard, WA:

I want to thank you for a wonderful magazine. The March issue with all the history is certainly a keepsake.
In the August issue, "A Letter Home from Camp" really tickled my funny bone. I also found the article, "Applying Research to Appliances," very interesting and thought- provoking. Much of what was discussed does not necessarily pertain to blind people. It was nice to see that Toni Eames was interviewed for the article. However, I can't help but wonder why "research" is needed. Appliances and gadgets don't necessarily have to talk to be useful to blind people. Back in the 70's, Sears sold an electric alarm clock with big raised numbers. It had a plastic covering over the face that could be snapped on and off. The easiest stove to operate that I ever owned was a 40-inch range made by General Electric. The burners were push-button. In fact, the oven was set for bake, time bake and broil via push buttons. The oven temperature also was easy to set in that the knob used to set the temperature pointed. I don't think microwave ovens necessarily have to talk to be useful. The first microwave oven I ever owned had pointed knobs. When the oven was off, the knob pointed straight up and down. It worked much like a clock.

For example, if you wanted to cook something for 15 minutes, you turned the knob till the points were sideways. Wouldn't it be cheaper to make appliances like that instead of having to design talking ones?