The history of English text-to-speech (English TTS) technology dates back to the late 1950s, when researchers first began working on programs that could convert written text into spoken words. One of the earliest English TTS systems was developed by Bell Laboratories in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This system, called "Audrey," was able to synthesize simple phrases and numbers, but was not very practical for everyday use.

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In the 1970s and 1980s, English TTS technology advanced significantly, with the development of more sophisticated systems that could synthesize longer phrases and sentences. These early English TTS systems were often used in assistive technology applications, such as text-to-speech software for the visually impaired.

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In the 1990s, English TTS technology began to be used more widely in a variety of applications, including voice-enabled interactive voice response (IVR) systems for customer service, and computer-based training programs. Today, English TTS technology is used in a wide range of applications, including assistive technology, telephony, and entertainment. It is also used in a variety of devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to provide spoken output for text-based applications.