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                                                                1. [[underlined]] Question: Is the Smithsonian responding to the "communications revolution?"[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]] Answer: [[/underlined]]  By 1980, it has been observed by competent authorities, the United States will be rewired for a new era in the communication of sight, sound and data.  Major industries already are recasting strategies for the future revolution in communications-related products and services.  The innovations will provide dramatic and promising opportunities for institutions, such as the Smithsonian, which are charged with increasing and diffusing meaningful knowledge.  The "frontiers" include such areas as cable television with its many channels; visual cassettes capable of bringing the classroom into the living room; audio cassettes which can provide delayed-reception of lectures and seminars; laser-bright, wall-sized TV pictures in the home and office; and world-side, satellite-linked distribution systems for information and education -- among others.

The prospect for the development of interactive devices through which museum exhibits and countless viewers will be able to have a continuing