This review of the literature on rate-controlled or compressed speech begins by tracing the historical development of compressed speech with emphasis on earlier approaches to the problem, e.g., changing speaking rate, simplifying text, changing tape speed, or using a sampling technique. An overview of research from 1917 to 1974 highlights the major contributors and important issues and findings. Four main categories of research are discussed: (1) comprehension and intelligibility; (2) trainability; (3) retention; and (4) applications of compressed speech to various instructional situations. Current basic and applied research is then reviewed, including research related to the use of compressed speech with the blind, visually impaired, and handicapped; its use in reading and language instruction; and its use in other instructional applications. Contemporary uses of rate-modified materials are summarized, and new research directions are suggested. An extensive 105-item bibliography is included. (LMM)