Sounds of Our Times Two Hundred Years of Acoustics [Hardcover]

A history of acoustics from the 19th century to the present, written by one of the pre-eminent members of the acoustical community. The book is both a review of the major scientific advances in acoustics as well as an account of famous acousticians and their discoveries, taking in the development of the Acoustical Society of America. Acoustics is distinguished by its interdisciplinary nature and the book duly explores the fields development in its relationship to other sciences. In addition to covering the history of acoustics, the book concludes with the future of acoustics. Beautifully illustrated.But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near. Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) In writing this book, I acknowledge two important predecessors. In 1930, Professor Dayton C. Miller, of Case Institute, wrote his Anecdotal History of Acoustics, which followed mainly the individual work of a hundred or so acousticians, up to about 1930. And in 1978, Origins in Acoustics by Profes? sor F.V. ( Ted ) Hunt of Harvard appeared. Professor Hunt had not com? pleted his book at the time of his death in 1972, but portions of it were published posthumously under the editorship of Professor Robert Apfel of Yale. This book begins roughly where the published portions of Hunt's work left off-the period at the beginning of the nineteenth century-and moves forward into the modern era. Because of the vast amount of acoustical research in this period, the personal and anecdotal style of Professor Miller's book did not seem appropriate. On the other hand, my age sug? gested to me that I might have not have the time for pursuing the intense but time-consuming scholarship of Professor Hunt (note the quotation above). I have therefore tried to steer a middle course between Miller and Hunt, and have also relied more on secondary sources.1 The State of Acoustics in 1800.- 2 Acoustics 18001850.- 3 von Helmholtz and Tyndall.- 4 Lord Rayleigh and his Book.- 5 Inventors to the Fore!.- 6 Thl&