It's still amazing to me that my voice from this itty bitty pandemic closet in DC can travel

from my recorder into editing software, then through the internet, to your ears.

It all starts with a microphone. And for that, we have James West to thank.

60 years ago, West co-invented a kind of microphone that is the bassist for most microphones out

there today. And West, who turns 91 tomorrow, is also a change agent. For decades, he's

mentored students at all levels, paving the way for underrepresented minorities and women to

join STEM fields. Today, we're going to revisit our conversation with James West, led by former host

Maddie Sophia. They talk about his career and how he's inspired an entire generation of students

to pursue science. Enjoy. You're listening to shortwave from NPR.

Earlier this month, I got on my laptop, started my recorder.

One, two, three. Okay, it's working. Awesome. One, two, three, four, five.

To talk to James West. Yeah, and I have a good level. A scientist and inventor. Perfect,

perfect. I had a feeling we'd get it. It was extremely cool because the thing he co-invented

decades ago helped make this interview possible. Can you list some of the things that it's used

in today? Because it's using a lot of stuff. I'd be better at telling you that it's not used in.

But since 1968, it has been the major microphone for communications, for professional studios,

foot toys, anything that requires a microphone you more than have to find an electric microphone.

We're talking hearing aids, baby monitors, smartphones. Inside, you'll probably find technology

based off the foil electric microphone. A device he co-invented with Gear Heart Sessler in 1962

at Bell Laboratories, a hub of 20th century tech innovation. Or, as Jim calls it, a sandbox with

all the toys you could ever want to play with, especially for somebody like him just out of college.

Why did I choose Bell Labs? Well, it's a wonderful place to fall off of an opportunity. I think

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