Electronics Helps Executive -- The wire-recorder, a wartime development, has been tailored for use as an office dictation machine. There are several microphone types of the device available, equipped with foot controls and headset for use by secretaries. Voice sounds - like telephone conversations, conference proceedings, news reporting - can be recorded by the device. The machine is now in production and has a market price of $400. Here Charles P. Peirce, President of the Peirce Magnetic Wire Recorder Corp., Evanston, Ill., demonstrates how the machine is used for dictating letters. January 14, 1947. (Photo by Wide World Photos).