The ancients have stolen our inventions—Recently discovered documents of Vern O. Knudsen

Abstract

Vern O. Knudsen was a founder of the Acoustical Society of America (1928), a member of the Bell Telephone Laboratories staff (1918), a respected professor of physics at UCLA (1922–1958), a Chancellor of UCLA (1959–1960), and a consultant in acoustics. Recently, a trove of Dr. Knudsen’s papers and books was gathered by his family and donated to the UCLA Dept. of Special Collections where they will be added to the existing 44 boxes of the Vern Oliver Knudsen Papers (UCLA Manuscript Collection No. 1153). These newly acquired documents and architectural drawings illustrate Dr. Knudsen’s pioneering work in classroom acoustics, room acoustic design, and sound propagation–aspects of acoustics that are still investigated today, 80 years later. The presentation will include a review of selected items from the Knudsen Papers including: his work for clients such as the Hollywood Bowl (1926–1929) and MGM Studios; his work with architects in the design of classrooms, performance and production spaces; Dr. Knudsen’s basic physical research; and his correspondence with luminaries from numerous fields. Many in the audience will rediscover that they do, indeed, follow in the footsteps of a giant.