William H. Offenhauser, Jr. papers, 1928-1972
Part of collection: Records of other RCA divisions (2464-80)
Dates
- Creation: 1928-1972
Biographical Note
William Henry Offenhauser, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1904. He earned degrees at Columbia College and the Engineering School of Columbia University, and began working at RCA Photophone as an electrical engineer shortly after graduation. Offenhauser’s work focused on developing and improving the transmission of sound to film via light – a technology vital to producing sound motion pictures. He transferred to RCA Victor in 1931, and left the company some time before 1942, after which his research focused on sound motion picture standards, particularly on picture-sound synchronization.
Offenhauser was awarded the John Grierson International Gold Medal Award in 1977 by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), authored several books, and received 70 patents. He died in Connecticut in 1995.
Scope and Content
The William H. Offenhauser, Jr. papers are composed of notes, schematics, and correspondence from his work at RCA Photophone on recording sound on motion picture film. The papers include licensing agreements, meeting reports on the progress and problems of Photophone technology, parts catalogs, RCA press materials like the booklet, “RCA, who we are and what we do,” and a copy of his patent for “Sound Reproduction” by light (2,018,315). Of special note is a list of movie theaters with sound motion picture projection rooms in New York in 1928.
Arrangement
Folders arranged alphabetically by subject.
Extent
From the Collection: 7 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.
Records subject to 25-year time seal.
Arrangement
Folders arranged alphabetically by subject.
Processing Notes
Processed by Rachael A. Beyer, August 2014.
Related Names
Subject
- Offenhauser, William H. (Person)
Creator
- From the Collection: RCA Corporation (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
