Headphones are a very basic item that have been constantly evolving over the last few years. Most commonly they are used for listening to music through the radio, CD players, ipods, etc, but also at computers for watching shows or videos. It is a part of the ever-expanding media industry and has adapted over the years. As it was most commonly used with CD players before the Ipod, it existed as a large and bulky set that fit over a person's ears with padding for comfort and a connecting section that would go over the top of the head. They were made adjusable to fit heads of different sizes and had wires that were thin and easily breakable. As they advanced they came thinner, lighter, and more comfortable, but still easily breakable. Eventually they returned to the much more bulky version, but had much thicker cords and more soundproof padding to keep other sounds out. Much like headphones that come with the ipod are earbuds that were ment for portability and flexibility.
They are structured as they are to block out outside sound so the person can have privacy as they listen to their music/movie. The added padding has been key to try and provide comfort for the ears to prevent them from pressing to hard on the side of the head. However, one thing that they don't allow often is for more than one person to listen to them at a time and they could be adjusted to fit this.
The way headphones are used reveals both a positive and a negative side to society. On the negative side, the ability of only one person to use them shows a detachment of people. These headphones are used for either keeping something to ones self or for drowning out sounds of the outside, creating a solitude. However, on the positive side it celebrates societies high value on music and musical arts to expand creativity and imagination.
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