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.

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

Upper North Street School - plaque 3

Upper North Street School - plaque 3

E14, Upper North Street, Mayflower School

The wording of this plaque is almost identical to that on the one that the Queen unveiled, plaque 2.

3 subjects commemorated
Newcastle House

Newcastle House

WC2, Lincoln's Inn Fields, 66

We thank Rosemary Jeffreys, again, for the Latin translation. After the fire the building was restored by the Treasury under Sir Christo...

1 subject commemorated
White Hart Inn

White Hart Inn

SE1, White Hart Inn

Site of "White Hart Inn", immortalized by Shakespeare in "Henry VI" and Dickens in "Pickwick Papers". Historic Southwark

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Swinburne House

Swinburne House

E2, Roman Road, Swinburne House

Apart from the architect the names on this plaque are the same as those on the Diss Street plaque.

18 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Old Schools

Old Schools

HA1, Church Hill, Old Schools

The Listing entry explains: "West wing, originally built 1615 and incorporating panelled schoolroom probably about that date. Architect M...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator