Sentient Systems Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1983 to bring the gift of communication to individuals who were unable to speak in due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and traumatic brain injury. This fledgling company evolved into what is now DynaVox Technologies.

The journey to becoming the world's leading provider of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions began when businessman Tilden Bennett and Gary Kiliany, an undergraduate student at Carnegie-Mellon University, in partnership with Mark Friedman, formed Sentient Systems Technology, Inc. The EyeTyper - a tool that allowed these individuals to "speak" by composing and speaking messages using eye-gaze techniques - was the company's first commercial product.

Three generations of the EyeTyper were marketed before the patent for the product was sold to the US Navy. Proceeds from the sale were reinvested into the company as its leaders sought to provide an AAC solution that would benefit more people.

In the fall of 1991, the original DynaVox branded products began shipping to consumers. Featuring touch screens with a dynamic display of words and symbols that changed with the selections of the person using the device, this product was truly revolutionary. By the end of 1993, Sentient Systems introduced word and grammar prediction to allow individuals using this technology to compose messages more quickly. The company also distributed the DigiVox, an AAC tool combining recorded speech with changeable paper overlays.

The DynaVox 2 and 2c, as well as DynaVox Software for Mac and DOS computers were introduced in February 1996. The DynaVox 2/2c line was the first to feature built-in universal remote control units and provide augmented communicators with the option of a color screen.

After a merger with Sunrise Medical Inc. in the spring of 1998, Sentient Systems changed its name to DynaVox Systems Inc. The company became DynaVox Systems LLC in 1999.

The third generation of DynaVox products, the DynaVox 3100, DynaMyte 3100 and DynaVox software for Mac and Windows computers, was introduced the following spring.

DynaVox Systems expanded its international presence with the 1999 debut of the Dynamo, the world's first AAC device to marry digitized speech with a dynamic display. During this year, the Dynamo was introduced in Japan and several non-English speaking countries in Western Europe.

The company led a lobbying effort that resulted in Medicare coverage for AAC devices beginning in January 2001. This funding stream made it easier for a new population, particularly adults who lose the ability to speak after the onset of conditions such as Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and strokes, to access high-tech AAC solutions.

Joe Swenson joined DynaVox in February 2002 as Tilden Bennett retired. In the spring of that same year, the company released the DynaWrite, the first keyboard-based communication device in its family of products. DynaWrite was the first DynaVox product to feature VeriVox voices.

The DynaVox 3100 and DynaMyte 3100 products were retired in December 2003, and replaced with the DynaVox DV4 and DynaVox MT4, respectively.

DynaVox Systems acquired Enkidu Research Inc. in January 2004. Known for its applied research efforts in the development of AAC technologies, Enkidu Research added several new AAC solutions to the DynaVox product line.

Mayer-Johnson Inc., developer of the popular Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) communication system, became part of the DynaVox family in May 2004. Simultaneously, DynaVox separated from Sunrise Medical.

In the fall of 2004, DynaVox Systems became DynaVox Technologies and introduced MightyMo and MiniMo, the latest dynamic display, digitized devices in the DynaVox product line.

A lot has changed at DynaVox Technologies since the company was founded in 1983. But one thing that hasn't is our commitment to bring the gift of communication to augmented communicators across the globe.