Fletcher, Harvey, 1884-1981
Dates
- Existence: 1884 - 1981
Biographical History
Harvey Fletcher (1884-1981) was a prominent physicist, renowned as the Father of stereophonic sound, credited with inventing the hearing aid and the first audiometer, Director of Research at Bell Laboratories, and Founding Dean of the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University.
Harvey Fletcher was a prominent physicist, reknowned as the Father of stereophonic sound, credited with inventing the hearing aid and the first audiometer, Director of Research at Bell Laboratories, and Founding Dean of the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University. He was the graduate student whose dissertation research was the oil drop experiment to measure the charge on an electron, under the direction of Robert Millikan. His honorary positions included President of the Acoustical Society of America and President of the American Physical Society. In addition, he was a faithful father, a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a dedicated gardener, and a fishing enthusiast.
He was born in Provo, Utah, on September 11, 1884. His first wife (Lorena Chipman) was American Mother of the Year in 1965. She passed away in 1967. Harvey and Lorena had 7 children (Phyllis, Steve, Charles, James, Robert, Harvey Junior, and Paul).
In his later years, Harvey married Lorena's sister, Fern Chipman Eyring. Fern's husband (Carl Eyring) passed away as a young scientist, and Harvey and Fern were married for 12 years until Harvey's death in 1981.
Citation:
In Memory of Harvey Fletcher, website viewed Aug. 27, 2010 (b. 1884; prominent physicist; father of stereo sound; invented hearing aid; invented audiometer; worked at Bell Labs; President of the Acoustical Society of America; President of the American Physical Society; Founding Dean of the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University; participated in oil drop experiment; m. Lorena Chipman and had 7 children (Phyllis, Steve, Charles, James, Robert, Harvey Junior, and Paul); m. Fern Chipman Eyring; d. 1981)Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:
Harvey Fletcher correspondence relating to the naming of the Eyring Science Center
Includes guest lists, invitiations, program, and correspondence concerning the naming of the Science Center, lecture halls, and laboratories. Also includes correspondence from the family organizations representing Frederick Buss, Franklin West, Carl Eyring, John Widtsoe, Orson Pratt, Wayne B. Hales, and Charles E. Maw.
Harvey Fletcher family papers
Contains materials gathered by Maureen Meyer Fletcher for her masters thesis in film, which featured Harvey Fletcher, Sr. Materials include film reels, VHS tapes, audiocassettes, betacams, and other biographical information of Harvey Fletcher Sr. such as publications, photos, letters, and awards. The collection also includes materials from other Fletcher family members. Dated approximately 1884-1982.
Harvey Fletcher papers
Correspondence and publications while at Bell Telephone Laboratories from 1916 to 1950 and correspondence connected with national societies relating to the physical sciences and acoustics from 1910 to 1954.
Harvey Fletcher papers, approximately 1884-1981
Materials include the papers of Harvey Fletcher Sr., which include publications, oral interviews, research notes, photographs, newspaper clippings, and letters. Dated approximately 1884-1981.
Stephen Fletcher papers, 1920-1981
Materials include correspondence and copies of the autobiography Stephen Fletcher wrote about his father Harvey Fletcher, Sr. Dated 1920-1981.
Study of speech and hearing at Bell Telephone Laboratories : the Fletcher years
During the first half of the 20th century, Bell Telephone Laboratories carried out an extensive research program aimed at improving the quality of telephone speech. Harvey Fletcher led this effort and these CD's contain correspondence and reports related to his work.