In-car audio devices attached to posts at drive-in theaters once provided the sole means of delivering sound to audiences. These metal boxes, often featuring a volume control and sometimes a selection switch for different audio channels, hung on the driver’s side window, allowing occupants to enjoy the film’s audio from the comfort of their vehicles.
These devices represent a significant technological solution to the challenges of presenting audio in an outdoor, open-air environment. They played a crucial role in the golden age of drive-in theaters, enabling a shared cinematic experience for families and communities. Their design reflected the technological limitations and innovations of the mid-20th century, becoming a recognizable symbol of this nostalgic era. The simple technology offered a personalized audio experience within the collective setting of the drive-in. These audio units facilitated the growth and popularity of drive-in entertainment, contributing to a unique cultural phenomenon.