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Harry F. Olson papers, 1918-1976

 Series
Accession: 2464-09Identifier: 2464-09-2.-I.

Dates

  • Creation: 1918-1976

Biographical Note

Harry F. Olson was born in Iowa in 1901. He earned a B.E., an M.S., a Ph.D. in physics, and a professional degree in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa. Upon completion of his education in 1928, Olson began working in the research divisions of RCA, first at RCA Photophone and RCA Victor, before becoming head of acoustical research at the new RCA Laboratories facility in Princeton, New Jersey in 1942.

Olson had a prolific career. He published 10 books and more than 130 articles, and was granted over 100 patents for his work. Olson’s innovative work produced the cardioid microphone, an acoustic stethoscope, an acoustically perfect theatre, duo-cone loudspeakers, a phonetic typewriter, the first magnetic color broadcast videotape recorder, and – together with Herb Belar – the electronic music synthesizer.

Olson was active in several professional organizations, including the American Acoustical Society and the Audio Engineering Society, serving a term as president for each, and as editor of the latter’s journal for more than 30 years. He received numerous awards and honors for his work, including being elected to the National Academy of Science and the Lammé Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Olson worked at the David Sarnoff Research Center until retiring as Staff Vice President, Acoustical and Electromechanical Research Laboratory in 1967. Following his retirement, Olson continued to serve as a consultant to RCA Laboratories until the mid-1970s. He died in 1982 in Princeton.

Scope and Content

The Harry F. Olson papers include schematics and drawings, a body of articles and patents, and correspondence from Olson’s work in acoustics at various RCA research divisions.

Photographs include, predominantly black and white with a few color, images of loudspeakers, microphones, and the magnetic video tape recording system.

Sound tape reels contain over 40 recordings of 'word lists' presumably used by Olson in his work with the phonetic typewriter.

General Physical Description (AVD portion only)

(AVD portion only) 151 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. 1 photographic print : color ; 3 x 5 in. 51 photographic prints : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. and smaller. 1 video disc (DVD). 2 videocassettses (Digital Betacam) : sd., b&w.1 reel (150 ft.) : sd. b&w ; 16mm. 37 sound tape reels : 7.5 ips. 9 sound tape reels.

Arrangement

The Harry F. Olson papers are divided into three subseries:

A. Research

B. Research, word lists

C. General

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Extent

From the Collection: 990 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Access Restrictions

This collection contains material from the Manuscripts and Archives Department (M&A) and the Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department (AVD). Box prefixes indicate which department holds an individual file or item.

Boxes M&A 127-846, M&A 1061-1064, and M&A 1283-1313 are stored offsite. Please contact the Manuscripts and Archives Department at least 48 hours in advance of research visit.

Arrangement

The Harry F. Olson papers are divided into three subseries:

A. Research

B. Research, word lists

C. General

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Provenance

Donated to the David Sarnoff Library by the Sarnoff Corporation in 2007.

Related Material

The University of Iowa houses the Papers of Harry F. Olson, call number MsC 869, 0.25 linear feet.

The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian houses the RCA Mark I Synthesizer designed by Olson and Herbert Belar.

Processing Notes

Processed by Rachael A. Beyer, 2014.

Related Names

Subject

Creator

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
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Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
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