Teleprompter
A teleprompter is an electronic imaging system that enables speakers and newscasters to look into the television camera (or at a live audience) and read the text of prepared remarks without the viewers realizing it. It operates like a one-way mirror, with the reflection of text scrolling on the screen for the speaker and the viewers seeing through the text like a transparent mirror.
Presidential Popularity
It was first popularized by former President Herbert Hoover at a Republican national convention, when he gave the secret away by complaining to a national audience that the teleprompter needed to restart the scrolling of the text after he paused to improvise.
Another advantage of the telemprompter is that it serves as a reminder of the pronounciation of names and places. This has been used by President George W. Bush for names such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy (sar-KO-zee) and Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe (moo-GAH-bee), as well as countries such as Kyrgyzstan (KEYR-geez-stan). [1]
President Barack Obama has had difficulty speaking without the assistance of a teleprompter, making frequent bloopers and saying embarrassing things.[2]