| History Of Electro-Voice By Al Kahn, Company Founder Written in 1953 |
| Lou Burroghs and I formed a partnership on September 1, 1927 to service radio recievers. Both of us were in our early twenties and had been radio experimenters for a nmber of years. The invested capital was $30.00 and a second- hand car. The firm prospered and within a year was the largest radio service shop in South Bend, Indiana. In addition, we had begun the retailing of radio equipment. The depression all but wiped us out. We found ourselves insolvent to the extent of $5,000.00. To survive and pay our creditors, we began work in the audio field and liquidated the remnants of the service and retail business. The first product was a portable public address system, the first, to our knowledge, ever to be bult, and was sold to Knute Rockne of Notre Dame for coaching from a tower. He named it his "Elecric Voice." On July 1, 1930, we incorporated and adopted the name "Electro-Voice. The first block in this new business was the poor quality and high prices of available microphones. Sensing an opportunity, we purchases a lathe and drill press and began making them at the rate of one a week (last month we made 20,000). Burroughs withdrew and I assumed his obligations and stock. By 1933 all debts of the defunct business were paid in full by the new company. Out of debt, earnings were retained and by 1936 twenty people were employed. Lou Burroughs returned as chief engineer and E-V had already begun to make significant contribution to the industry. In 1941, restrictions were placed on civilian goods and we had no contracts. Intensive work was done on a differential noise-canceling microphone. So radical in conceptioin, we met with resistance by most government laboratories. Persisting, because we believed in it, we finally brought it to the attention of the right people. It was quickly standardized for all ground forces and Marine Corps. We licensed the U.S. Governement, royalty-free, and withing a year were producing 2,500 a day. Our Army -Navy "E" was amoung the first in the area and industry to be awarded. Relations with the government with regard to quality, delivery, pice, renegotiation and termination were harmonious. By 1946, we began a new era. New facilities were acquired and expanded engineering began. In 1948, we began production of phonograph pick-up cartridges, which was immedately successfull. In 1950, we produced the first automatic TV booster which sold in substantial quantities. Also in 1950, we laid the groundwok for our present loudspeaker line. This timing proved to be right for our tooling, designs and dsitribution was set up when the expanding market developed in 1952. |
| Microphones Broadcast and Telecast We have grown, throug hte years, to be we believe, the laqrgest producer of microphones in the world (no official statiscs are available). Our line is broad and covers most types that are used in all services. For the past two years, we have been quite successful in breaking into the broadcast and elecast industry. All major networks, and except NBC who is owned by RCA, a competitor, use E-V mocrophones in quantity. Another new model is being intorduced which should clinch our positino and put us into first place in this field, ahead of RCA. Public Address For years we have been one of the two leading brands. We are exceptionally strong in the middle and upper price groups. New low priced models are being tooled and will be announced in May 1954. We anticipate that our positions will be further enhanced by strengthening the lower cost segments of the line. Recording For seveal years we have produced most of the initial equimpent for home tape recorders built in America. Some of these are built to customer's specifications and case style. Communications Although we rank second in this field, we have plans for increasing oursales in this market. We are, however, strong in the avaition industry, supplying microphones to United Air Lines, TWA Transcanada and smaller lines. We furnish equipment for all Cessna planes. Speacial Purpose The differential noise-canceling mocrophone has been adapeted to manyu interesting uses wherever high ambient noise is a distrubing factor. The second-order differential has great promise for the future. Phonograph Cartridges This is a device that holds th phono needle. It translates mechanical motion to electrical eneergy. This deparment is our least profitable one, but carries a great deal of overhead. We are in the process of complete redesign of popular models to effect substantial cost savings, which should reflect next year. Heavy tool expense is being written off this fiscal year. Currently, we are supplying Zenith at the average rate of 600-1,000 units per day. This line is running smoothly and profitably. Our jobbier line is increasing through agressive merchandising. *I will continue loading the rest of this article as I have time, thanks for your patience. |
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