The Inventor of Stereo - The Life and Works of Alan Dower Blumlein
by Robert Charles Alexander
About the Book
The Inventor of Stereo - The Life and Works of Alan Dower Blumlein
This book is the definitive study of the life and works of one of Britain's most important inventors who, due to a cruel set of circumstances, has all but been overlooked by history.
Alan Dower Blumlein led an extraordinary life in which his inventive output rate easily surpassed that of Edison, but whose early death during the darkest days of World War Two led to a shroud of secrecy which has covered his life and achievements ever since.
His 1931 Patent for a Binaural Recording system was so revolutionary that most of his contemporaries regarded it at as more than 20 years ahead of its time. Even years after his death, the full magnitude of its detail had not been fully utilized.
Among his 128 Patents are the principle electronic circuits critical to the development of the world's first electronic television system. During his short working life, Blumlein produced patent after patent breaking entirely new ground in electronic and audio engineering.
During the Second World War, Alan Blumlein was deeply engaged in the very secret work of radar development and contributed enormously to the system eventually to become 'H2S'- blind bombing radar.
Tragically, during an experimental H2S flight in June 1942, the Halifax bomber in which Blumlein and several colleagues were flying, crashed and all aboard were killed. He was just days short of his 39th birthday.
For many years there have been rumours about a biography of Alan Blumlein, yet none has been forthcoming. This is the world's first study of a man whose achievements should rank among those of the greatest Britain has produced. This book provides detailed knowledge of every one of his patents and the process behind them, while giving an in depth study of the life and times of this quite extraordinary man.
Publisher : Focal Press (Butterworth-Heinemann) 1st edition - hardback (5 Aug 1999); 2nd edition - paperback (4 June 2000); Routledge 1st edition (3 Aug. 2001), 2nd edition - Kindle (2 April 2011), 3rd edition - hardback (30 June 2017
Language : English
Paperback : 446 pages
ISBN-10 : 0240516281
ISBN-13 : 978-0240516288
'This book is the long-awaited biography of Alan Blumlein, a true genius. I highly recommend it. Pro sound engineers, design engineers and audiophiles will find it fascinating.'
Bruce Bartlett, Pro Audio Review
'Fascinating man, fascinating inventions, fascinating story behind the 30 year wait for a biography. We recommend you read it - our congratulations to the author.'
Everyday Practical Electronics, November 1999
'Thanks for the quick delivery of the Blumlein book, for which we have been waiting at least 25 years! ... In the audio community, every enthusiast will wish to own this book.'
Audio Amateur Incorporated, September 1999
'One of the most complete accounts of the development of Blumlein's invention. A fine tribute which must be considered a standard reference.'
Gramophone, 1999 Awards Issue
'Through extraordinary hard work, Alexander has now raised this man [Blumlein] from the dead.'
New Scientist, October 1999
'This is a 'must read' book ... I found it quite impossible to put down.'
Line Up, October/November 1999
'I recommend this book for all aspiring - and those of us in need of inspiring - engineers'
Studio Sound, December 1999
'The Inventor of Stereo reads at times like a spy novel, with Blumlein as one of the main characters... Engaging, enlightening and only slightly nerdy, The Inventor of Stereo is a fascinating and enjoyable read.'
Mix magazine, February 2000
'I sincerely doubt if anyone will ever better this book on the subject of Blumlein.'
405 Alive magazine, issue 43
Robert Charles Alexander is an author, lawyer, civil and commercial mediator, and a legal and political consultant.
Born in Hampstead, London England in June 1964, he was educated in the Rudolf Steiner education system where he trained in classical music reading, composition, and arrangement. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in International Law from University of Lincoln, and is currently studying for his Ph.D. in Law at Brunel University London.
He most recently worked as a political correspondent for the BBC.
His first book, ‘The Inventor of Stereo – The Life & Works of Alan Dower Blumlein’, was published in August 1999, to worldwide acclaim. It has since been dramatised as a radio programme for BBC Radio 4 broadcast in August 2008, and more recently turned into a major new movie for Universal Pictures Films (due for release in 2026).
His second book, ‘The Misner Factor – The Official History of SAE Institute’, tells the rags to riches story of founder Tom Misner, and was published in July 2003.
His third book, ‘Why We Climb – The Harsh Reality of Modern Expedition Mountaineering’, was co-written with world-renowned American mountaineer Dan Mazur, and documents their attempt to climb Mount Everest in the spring of 2004; it was published in October 2006.
His fourth book, ‘Michael Gerzon – Beyond Psychoacoustics’, tells the complicated story of multi-channel audio reproduction, and follows on directly from his first book; it was published in November 2008.
His fifth book, ‘Newport Arch, Lincoln: a pictorial history, documents two thousand years of one of the City of Lincoln’s iconic Roman monuments; it was published in February 2022.
His sixth and seventh books, ‘The Misner Legacy’ Volume One and Volume Two, directly continue his long-time association with billionaire, Tom Misner.
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