Alan Dower Blumlein, whose invention transformed audio technology, is to be posthumously honoured by a technical Grammy award, at a ceremony later this year.
February 10, 2017 16:15
The man who invented stereo sound is to be honoured with a Grammy award, 75 years after he died.
Alan Dower Blumlein, whose invention transformed audio technology, is to be posthumously honoured by a technical Grammy award, at a ceremony later this year.
Mr Blumlein, was born in north London in 1903, into a family of German Jewish decent.
At the age of 25 he joined Columbia Graphophone, an early incarnation of the EMI music group.
During his 13 years there he filed 128 patents, including, on December 14 1931, one for a two-channel audio system, better known as stereo.
Simon Blumlein, the inventor’s son, said he was delighted his father had been award a Grammy.
“It is a great honour for my father and the Blumlein family to be recognised with such a prestigious award.
“We’re so immensely proud of him and how his work transformed sound recording.
“He’s always been held in the highest esteem by recording engineers and so to now receive this acknowledgement from the wider music industry is simply wonderful.”
The inventor’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 38.
Mr Blumlein was killed in an aircraft accident, in 1942, whilst testing the H2S, an airborne radar system on board a Handley Page Halifax, a four-engined heavy bomber operated by the British Royal Air Force during the war.
The system was deployed throughout the RAF’s fleet after he died and contributed to the successful war effort.
Mr Blumlein’s death was never officially acknowledge because of the secret nature of the H2S system.
Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman of Universal Music Group, said: “Alan Dower Blumlein and his prolific period of invention whilst at EMI, not only transformed audio and music recording technology, but also helped shape modern media communications for generations to come through his pioneering work in television.
“We are delighted that the Recording Academy has chosen to honour his legacy with this posthumous Grammy award. His work, productivity and lasting scientific impact continue to entertain, educate and inspire millions today.”