Technology is so widely available that we almost never stop to consider how our lives would be different without it. When a new product hits the market, we as consumers are so jaded that we even look at the trailers with a “hmmm.”

If a life-changing invention hit the shelves tomorrow, how long before it got boring or passé?

In 1952, a life-changing product hit the market and an entire community stood up and took notice. A small publisher in England published the first audiobook. A quaint little Christmas story, read by Dylan Thomas, opened the pages of books for the blind.

The first audiobooks were recorded in albums. Audiobooks on cassette didn’t appear on the scene until the 1950s. They are now widely available in various formats, including CD and MP3. With the widespread use and accessibility of technology, and the availability of thousands of titles, audiobooks have become a growing niche market.

Audiobooks were first created for the blind.

The recordings were able to open up a whole new world for people with disabilities. As the desire for more books increased, many types of recordings began to be released. What began as a book for the entertainment and enjoyment of the blind has led to the availability of textbook audiobooks, lecture notes on tape, and countless books of all genres.

Audiobooks are easy to use, don’t require expensive equipment, and are inexpensive.

You will also find free audiobooks especially on the internet where you can download the recorded book at no cost. Publishers are adding different elements to audiobooks to make them interesting, like music, sound effects, and even multiple readers to give the story depth.

The benefits of audiobooks are too numerous to list.

The blind are no longer required to have a reading partner. They do not have to carry heavy Braille books. They have faster access to new books, since audiobooks are released alongside physical books. Most importantly, they now have the option to enjoy books wherever and whenever they want.

Thinking about the radical changes that audiobooks have made in the lives of the blind gives one a renewed appreciation of the technology. Yes, technology makes our lives easier. And there is a lot of technology available. But we must forget that technology has the power to revolutionize lives.