1937: Dr. Bob S.
[near right] responded to a letter that Bill W.
[far right] had sent him a few days earlier. In it, Bill mentioned his upcoming trip to
Akron, stating that he and Lois planned to arrive on Sunday, 10 October, along
with two other couples and a friend*
from New York City. Dr. Bob was enthusiastic about the visit, writing:We can easily find room for as many as you want to bring for as long as you wish. Between Paul [S――], T. Henry [Williams] and ourselves we will have no trouble housing and feeding you and your gang.
1990s: Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), a form of texting via telephone, began to be used by hard-of-hearing A.A. members to communicate with other members.
In 1964, Robert Weitbrecht
[left, with his first TTY adapted for use by the deaf], a deaf scientist, developed the acoustic coupler, which allowed
teletypewriter (TTY, also known as textphone) machines to send and receive
typed messages over standard telephone lines. This invention enabled deaf
and hard-of-hearing individuals to
communicate directly by phone for the first time. By the late 1970s and
early 1980s, TTY relay services began to emerge, allowing TTY users to
connect with people using regular phones. State relay programs followed,
and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated nationwide
relay services to ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals had
access to the telephone network
[right: $300 Ultratec Minicom IV TTY].
1995:
There’s More to Quitting Drinking Than Quitting Drinking [left: cover] by Dr. Paul
O. [right: with his wife, Max] was published by Sabrina Publishing. Paul’s personal story had appeared
in the May 1975 issue of the A.A. Grapevine as “Bronzed Moccasins,”
in the 3rd edition of Alcoholics Anonymous as “Doctor, Alcoholic,
Addict,” and in the 4th edition as “Acceptance Was the Answer.”
1996: The 15-millionth copy
of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was presented to Eleanor
“Ellie” Norris, the widow of Dr. John L. Norris, former Class A
(nonalcoholic) Chairman of the General Service Board of Alcoholics
Anonymous [left: presentation]…
with our deepest appreciation for your friendship and continuing commitment to the work of Alcoholics Anonymous; and in recognition of the pioneering and towering service of your husband, former chairman of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, our beloved Dr. Jack Norris. Your steadfast dedication to our Fellowship is a striking witness of extending the hand of A.A. to others. With love and many grateful memories.
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