1961 Press Photo Gerald Kerr measures sound in New Orleans neighborhood.

A sound becomes a noise when it is irritating. And the most irritating noises of all are those we consider unnecessary-that of the neighbor's dog that thinks he's invented barking, of the youth who uses a horn instead of a doorbell in calling for his date, of the motorcyclist who's removed the muffler from his bike. On Audubon Place, registered 47 decibels with passing delivery truck, wind level, birds singing. When delivery truck passed, dropped to 40, made up of wind and bird sounds, as well as a lawn mower about block away.

Photo is dated 1961.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.