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 3 Collections and/or Records:
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.
Oral history interview with Armin J. Hill
Interview by Mardin Clark with Armin Hill discussing his responsibilities and administrative activities relating to Brigham Young University.
Oral history interview with Harvey Fletcher
Interview by Hollis Scott with Harvey Fletcher, scientist and teacher, concerning his experiences in Provo, Utah, as a graduate student at the University of Chicago, as a teacher at Brigham Young University, and as a bishop and stake president in the New York Stake. Includes sound recording.