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Paul Wilbur Klipsch, "A Legend In Sound", Dies at Age 98

 

Paul Wilbur Klipsch, a great inventor, engineer, scientist, pilot, and

legendary eccentric died May 5, 2002 at the age of 98. Born March 9, 1904 in

Elkhart, Indiana to Oscar W. and Minna (Eddy) Klipsch, he was best known for

his contributions in revolutionizing the world of audio. From a young age,

Paul W. Klipsch was fascinated with acoustics and radio so much; he built

his own radio receiver a year before the first public radio broadcast. He

became absorbed in the world of sound, electronics, and radio, which

followed him the rest of his life. New Mexico A&M, now known as New Mexico

State University became his Alma Mater in 1926, when he graduated with a

Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. It was here that he developed a

deeper love and knowledge for music, musicians and musical instruments. He

was a member of the championship ROTC rifle team, as well as a charter

member of the Mu Phi Pu honorary engineering fraternity. From there he was

employed in the field of radio by General Electric and then followed another

passion for trains to Tocopilla, Chile from 1928-1931. It was there he

supervised the maintenance of seven electric locomotives, but his interest

and experimentation in radios never waned. In 1931 upon return to the United

States, he entered Stanford University and graduated with a Master's Degree

in Electrical Engineering, meanwhile continuing research in audio

frequency/efficiency. From 1931 through 1941 he was employed in Houston,

Texas in the field of oil exploration. During that time, he engineered and

developed eight patents in the field of geophysical exploration using

various methods. The research on his audio speaker design continued from his

home, where he began submitting his first patent for horn design, which

initially wasn't accepted.

 

1941 was a year of change; Paul Klipsch was drafted into service during WWII

and was stationed at the Southwest Proving Grounds in Hope, Arkansas. Paul's

contributions to the defense of this country were in the form of ballistics

and photography. He was discharged with a rank of Major and later promoted

to Lt. Col. in the reserves in 1953. It was after WWII that Paul W. Klipsch

decided to commit his life and "build loudspeakers". He remained in Hope and

continued more research and experimentation, patents and trademarks were

applied for and ultimately granted. The name Klipsch and Associates was

registered in 1946 although his first employee wasn't hired until 1948. It

was in 1950 when Paul realized another dream and became a pilot.

 

Throughout his life, Paul W. Klipsch had three patents in ballistics, eight

in geophysics and twelve in acoustics. To Paul, accurate sound reproduction

entailed many sacrifices. The development of his Heritage Line of Speakers

including the Klipschorn, LaScala, Belle, Cornwall and Heresy are known

worldwide for their quality and accuracy that continue to set the standard

in the industry for over 50 years.

 

The honors and awards bestowed upon Paul W. Klipsch are numerous and varied

and in part due to his engineering genius. He is a fellow of the Institute

of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEE), The Audio Engineering

Society (AES) and The Acoustical Society of America (ASA). Member of Mu Phi

Pi, which through Sigma Tau became Tau Beta Pi, New Mexico Alpha Chapter and

Gamma Chapter at Stanford as well as a member in Sigma Xi, an honorary

research society. He is listed in Who's Who in Engineering and Who's Who in

Electronics. In 1966 he was awarded the New Mexico State University Alumni

Award. In 1978 he was awarded the Audio Engineering Society's Silver Medal

"for innovative contributions to loudspeaker design and studies of acoustic

distortion." He received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from New Mexico

State University, in 1981. In 1983, he was inducted into the Audio Hall of

Fame. He was named Citizen of the Year in the city of Hope in 1985. 1989 he

received the Hi~Fi News Award for Achievement in Audio. 1993,1994 and 1995

saw the Dedications of the Paul W. Klipsch Lecture Hall, the dedication of

the Paul W. Klipsch Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and

finally the Klipsch School of Electrical Engineering, all at New Mexico

State University. The city of Hope again honored this great man in its

dedication of the Paul W. Klipsch Municipal Auditorium June of 1995. In 1997

New Mexico State University dedicated the Klipsch Museum, providing a

scholarly and entertaining view of engineering history. Without question,

his most distinguished award was received in 1997, when he was inducted and

enshrined in the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame for acoustic,

ballistic and geophysical contributions and became memorialized with such

members as Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk and the Wright Brothers. Each

individual is honored for his or her outstanding achievement and

contribution to society. He was recognized as a visionary whose perseverance

has improved the quality of life for all humanity. As recent as 2001 he

received the Award of Distinction from the Little Rock Arts and Humanities

Promotion Commission.

 

Paul Wilbur Klipsch was also a man known for his wisdom, integrity,

compassion, generosity and wit. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, a member of the

Rotary Club since 1946. His philanthropic interests were far reaching. He is

a long time benefactor and supporter of the Klipsch School of Electrical and

Computer Engineering, providing scholarships at the graduate and

undergraduate levels, as well as other endowments. Paul W. Klipsch and Mrs.

Valerie Klipsch were honored in March of 2002 with the Circle of

Excellence-Gold by New Mexico State University for their generous

contributions. Other benefactors include the Pueblo Indian Endowment,

Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, Arkansas State University, Little

Rock Symphony, the Masons and Eastern Star, the American Cancer Society, the

American Heart Association and the Arkansas Ballet.

 

Others have described the man as raw, eccentric, ubiquitous,

straightforward, controversial, fascinating, whimsical and extraordinary

these grasp but a small yet famous portion of his personality. He admitted

that this part of his personality has been "played up" so he played along

"just for the effect." His well known eccentricities encompass "little

black/brown books" with secret code and drawings, the nom de plume, O.

Gadfly Hurtz, an endless list of oxymoron's, wearing four watches at all

times, and his most famous of all the small yellow buttons with "Bullshit"

written in old English script.

 

Paul Wilbur Klipsch held infinite philosophies on life that he evolved over

his ninety-eight years. He always gave credit to Divine Guidance, and

invoked it frequently. He lived his life according to the highest moral and

ethical standards, both personally and professionally. He achieved fame and

fortune without arrogance. It is in a famous quote he loved that truly

revealed a man above men. "No one achieves eminence alone. If I have seen

farther than Descartes it is because I have stood on the shoulders of

giants."

 

[Klaus R. 0]

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http://www.audioimport.nl/inhoud.htm

 

 

Klaus