An acoustic coupler used in the 1980s by the social cooperative Agri-Coop alto Garda verde has become an art object exhibited at the Museum of Posts and Telecommunications in Milan. This device, which converted digital signals from computers into analog audio signals for transmission through telephone lines, represents a milestone in the history of digital communication. The coupler was essential for connecting early computers to online services, facilitating administrative and accounting operations.
The Agri-Coop Cooperative, based in Toscolano Maderno, was among the first on the Parco Riviera to acquire this innovative tool. Francesco Capuccini, president of the cooperative, recalled how the coupler was used for payments and other daily activities. An official from the Cooperative League then requested to acquire the device for museum display, where it is now showcased alongside other historical technologies. This exhibition highlights the importance of the acoustic coupler in the prelude to the era of modern internet connections.
Italian Version