Designed by American audio products company Shure, it has been described as "iconic" in pamphlets and reviews,[1] after the Elvis stamp issued by the U.S.
[7] Visually one of Shure's most iconic Unidyne series, the 55S, has been seen in use by heads of state and popular recording artists and performers from the 1940s through the late 20th century, including President John F. Kennedy, Golda Meir, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra.
[2][3][12] In 2008, the Unidyne Model 55 microphone was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame,[13] and the following year, Shure released the 55SH Series II.
It was noted for its single-element, unidirectional design, which was smaller, less susceptible to feedback, and less sensitive to ambient noise than other microphones of the time.
[6] A supercardioid version, the Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone, was introduced in 2009, featuring high gain before feedback and excellent off-axis rejection and further extending Unidyne's 70-plus year legacy.