Yes, it is a Western Electric Model 34A Hearing Aid. You can view one at http://www.hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Carbon/WesternElectric/info/westelect34a.htm
Go back a few years. The device the lady has is more primitive. There’s no earphone on a wire. That’s why she has it up to her ear. Still, it’s a rectangular case big enough to hold the pickup, speaker, battery and amplification coils.
Thanks for the link. That makes more sense than time travel. But it’s not as fun. And those feet! Looks surprisingly like Helen Thomas, when Helen was much younger.
Nice find!!!
I knew a Freeper could do it!
Did you find that yourself?
I was wrong earlier - thought those weren’t out yet.
We have a winner!!! Mystery solved!
This has been a story for how long? And a Freeper solves it in a few hours (tops). The wealth of knowledge here really is astounding!
http://www.hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Carbon/WesternElectric/info/westelect34a.htm
Only problem with it being a hearing aid is that the person is holding the battery case up to his/her ear rather than the ear piece. Also, that model uses 3 "D" size batteries which are the large ones used in today's flashlights.
My theory on the man or woman is that it's Charlie Chaplin himself. He was about 5'4" and wore big shoes in many of his movies. It would be a great joke to dress as a woman and just wander through the shot though I still don't know what the "cell phone" might be.
Nice work man .