The Shure 70 H was a stylish omnidirectional crystal microphone from 1935. The microphone was intended to be used on a stand, or mounted on a handle (earning it the nickname ‘Lollypop’).
With a handle, the 70H became the 71BH. This version of the microphone could be used on a stand or mounted on a handle (earning it the nickname ‘Lollypop’). When used as a desk mic, the handle of the 71B rested on a table stand but it could swiftly be removed from the base to be used as a hand mic.
Shure boasted the 70H set the ‘standard of performance’ for diaphragm-type crystal microphones. Like all other crystal mics, it was based on Brush patents. Shure engineers developed the piezo-crystal capsule design further and came up with the ‘cantilever’ principle, which provided efficient transfer of energy from sound waves to the crystal element.
Even for a crystal microphone, it had a high output and it was advertised as the ‘Super-Level’ crystal.
In 1939, the 70H connector was replaced by a streamlined stand mount with a built-in connector. Production of the 70H lasted until 1940. They were often sold for use with acetate disc recorders (John Lomax used these to record some of his collection of American folk songs). The mic could be plugged straight in, without extra electronics, which made this combination one of the earliest types of portable recording sets.
Shure also made a Type 70S, especially for close-talking, with a capsule designed for intelligible speech.
Since crystal elements were very light, crystal microphones could be small and lightweight, which made them extremely popular at the time.
Most of these crystal capsules don’t function anymore, but the 70H with handle still functions fine after some 90 years. The beautiful shape is an awesome design, a real classic.
Back of the Shure 70H
Front page of Shure’s 1937 catalog
Shure 1935 catalog 70H page
1939 version of the 70H