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The American D 9 AT was the first dynamic directive microphone, from 1938. It had two dynamic elements: a velocity and a pressure (one open on both sides, the other baffled). The combined output created a unidirectional microphone with a strong output and therefore a better result than the dynamic omni's and the ribbon mics of that era delivered. It was often used for Public Address since it had twice as much gain before feedback, compared to its contemporaries.
It was also rugged, immune to weather conditions and very useful for in-studio broadcasts, because of its wide dynamic range.
The American company advertised the D 9 A (T was the high Z version) as the mic with 30% more power (volume) than others.
The Art Deco design resembled the huge, stylish skyscrapers of the Thirties that dominated the skyline of New York and other major US cities.
The 'look' of the American microphones was often way ahead of the competition.
American was one of the first five companies in the United States to produce microphones in the nineteen-twenties, their products were all based upon Western Electric patents (both firms originated from the American Telegraph and Telephone Company).
Sometimes history seems ironic; in 1939 Shure presented the 55 Unidyne: the first directive dynamic microphone with just one element. With it Shure had a model that surpassed the D 9 and could be produced much cheaper, it sold in large numbers. Shure's newest product, the KSM8, is fitted with two capsules, so after more than 75 years, that company too believes there is a future for this technique.
This is one of the types that feature in my book Witnesses of Words, which was recently released. More information about that can be found at www.witnessesofwords.com
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