Plaque

Alan Blumlein

Erection date: 1/4/2015

Inscription

IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Computing
Invention of Stereo Sound Reproduction, 1931
Alan Dower Blumlein filed a patent for a two-channel audio system called "stereo" on 14 December 1931. It included a "shuffling" circuit to preserve directional sound, an orthogonal "Blumlein Pair" of velocity microphones, the recording of two orthogonal channels in a single groove, stereo disc-cutting head, and hybrid transformer to mix directional signals. Blumlein brought his equipment to Abbey Road Studios in 1934 and recorded the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
April 2015
IEEEE

This is the most technical plaque we've ever transcribed - and we are none the wiser.

Site: Abbey Road Studios (2 memorials)

NW8, Abbey Road, 3, Abbey Studios

Abbey Road Studios were opened in November 1931 by EMI. The Blumlein plaque is to the right, Elgar to the left.

A live webcam has been set up on the boundary wall pointing at that pedestrian crossing. Londonist posted this lyrical short film about the crossing.

We've read that when George Harrison died members of the studio set up huge speakers at the front and played 'All Things Must Pass' to the crowds of mourners.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Alan Blumlein

Subjects commemorated i

Alan Blumlein

Electronics engineer, notable for his many inventions in telecommunications, ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Alan Blumlein

Created by i

IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

This is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical ...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Alan Blumlein

Also at this site i

Sir Edward Elgar - Abbey Road Studios

Sir Edward Elgar - Abbey Road Studios

Sir Edward Elgar, composer, 1857 - 1934, opened and recorded in these studios...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Gaiety Theatre

Gaiety Theatre

WC2, Strand, Silken Hotel

The building to the east, Marconi House, has close connections to this site and we have recorded some of their joint history there.

2 subjects commemorated
Liberal Party

Liberal Party

SW1, King Street, Almack House

On this site was a social club which operated 1765 - 1871 as Almack's and was then renamed as Willis's Rooms. Wikipedia talks of "a bras...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Sir Walter Besant - Frognal Gardens

Sir Walter Besant - Frognal Gardens

NW3, Frognal Gardens, 18

This house, Frognal End, is described and photographed in 1897, during Besant's tenure, at OOCities. The Underground Map says the house ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Earlforward's bookshop

Earlforward's bookshop

WC1, King's Cross Road, Travel Lodge

Roy Hattersley, a Bennett enthusiast, unveiled the plaque.

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Lord Duncan-Sandys

Lord Duncan-Sandys

SW1, Vincent Square, 86

Lord Duncan-Sandys, 1908 - 1987, politician and statesman, lived here, 1946 - 1986, unveiled by his grandson, the Lord Mayor of Westminst...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators

Previously viewed

First Test Match in England

First Test Match in England

SE11, Kennington Oval, Hobbs Gates

The "D.R. London S.E.5" is puzzling. The Oval is in the SE11 post code, not SE5. Possibly "D. R." is an organisation, based in SE5, that ...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Skipper Gandolfi and Kim Mayo

Skipper Gandolfi and Kim Mayo

SE15, Linden Grove, Nunhead Cemetery

The wording of the Mayo plaque is a little strange.  In what way could research give the Leysdown tragedy to the Friends of the Cemetery?...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator