Meeting Topic: Shure Inc - The Evolution of the Microphone
Moderator Name: Elliot Kermit-Canfield
Speaker Name: Sr. Manager of Acoustical Engineering at Shure Inc.
Other business or activities at the meeting: Announced two upcoming events: 1) A demonstration of "Dave's Den" (A listening room designed by one of Penn State's professors of acoustics, Dr. Dave Swanson) 2) A tour of the Community Loudspeaker manufacturing plant.
Meeting Location: 306 Hammond Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Ken's talk on the evolution of the microphone guided the audience through the fascinating history of the microphone. In his presentation, Ken followed a timeline which began in the 1600's with concepts and inventions which only faintly resembled what we now think of as a microphone and progressed all the way to today's microphones and a look at the future of microphone technology. The heart of his presentation really focused on the period between the middle of the 19th century and the early 20th century during which time a handful of people led the race to develop and define the microphone as we know it today.
In the end, Ken delivered an entertaining and easy to follow story which not only informed the audience of all the major types of microphones that exist and when they were invented, but also of the drama and people that were involved. There seemed to be a lot of interest in the topic throughout the presentation and was further evidenced by the many questions following his talk.
Written By: Nikolas Vitt
