{"product_id":"unique-vintage-american-single-sided-michael-reese-hospital-quiet-zone-heavy-gauge-steel-rectangular-shaped-sign","title":"unique vintage american single-sided michael reese hospital \"quiet zone\" heavy gauge steel rectangular-shaped sign","description":"original single-sided exterior \"quiet zone\" michael reese hospital notification street sign possibly fabricated by or for the city of chicago streets and sanitation department. the rectangular-shaped sign with reflective surface is comprised of heavy gauge steel with deeply embossed lettering. the sign contains a brightly colored yellow background with black lettering. over the centuries, the noises of hospitals have changed significantly and tell us much about these institutions and the experiences of patients. early hospitals were not silent, but were characterized by much conversation and consultation. as religious and reforming institutions, medieval hospitals resonated with the sounds of prayers and sermons. communication within hospitals in the 1700's was conducted through the use of bells, a separate bell having announced emergencies, meals and the start of church services. hospital rules were also read to patients on the wards on a daily basis into the victorian period. such rules were equally concerned with regulating the sounds of patients. there were restrictions on talking and family visits. from the 1700's, european hospitals also isolated people who appeared to be delirious or have mental illnesses. with the introduction of anaesthesia, surgery was no longer accompanied by the screams of patients in pain. new materials and architectural designs also aimed to minimize noise. the noises outside institutions were also controlled and reduced. originally built on the edges of cities, hospitals were drawn into the heart of communities as urban centers grew throughout the 1800's. speed limits were imposed on vehicles around hospitals, and streets were covered in straw to minimize the sound of carts and pedestrians. with the introduction of electricity in the late 1800's, bells inside hospitals were replaced with soundless call buttons. silence was considered crucial to a patient’s recovery. signs outside many contemporary hospitals remind the public that hospitals have become quiet zones.","brand":"vendor-unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50669599719722,"sku":"UR-13356-12","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/7075\/4858\/files\/20120328-041x_2.jpg?v=1760238472","url":"https:\/\/urbanremainschicago.com\/products\/unique-vintage-american-single-sided-michael-reese-hospital-quiet-zone-heavy-gauge-steel-rectangular-shaped-sign","provider":"Urban Remains Chicago","version":"1.0","type":"link"}