Kent Broadbent papers
Scope and Contents
Contains a prototype of the MCA Disco-Vision Video Disc Player invented by Kent Broadbent as part of his research with MCA Laboratories, based out of Torrance, California, and papers documenting the prototype's development and operation. Also contains accessories related to the prototype, including DiscoVision discs and a pitch analyzer, and genealogy regarding the life history of Kent Broadbent's family. Materials created approximately 1964 to 2013.
Dates
- approximately 1964-2013
Creator
- Broadbent, Kent, 1926-1994 (creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Kent Dastrup Broadbent was born on June 19, 1926, to Thora Dastrup and Berne Passey Broadbent in Provo, Utah. He graduated from Provo High School and went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics at Brigham Young University, and a Master of Science degree in physics at the Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed graduate work in physics and electronics at the University of Utah. He founded MCA Laboratories (Music Corporation of America)in 1969, which pioneered the development of laser video disc technology. In 1972, his laboratory gave the world's first public demonstrations of laser disc technology that they had developed. He published numerous papers in technical journals that outlined research in video playback systems. He was the sole inventor on various patents of video playback systems. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, serving two missions in Lubumbashi, Zaire, Africa and in Terre Haute, Indiana. Kent passed away in 1994.
Extent
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
1 item (1.75 linear ft.)
1 oversize box (1.45 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged in three series: 1. Kent Broadbent Disco-Vision Player equipment and papers, 1968-1992. 2. Kent Broadbent SounDial pitch analyzer, approximately 1930-1990. 3. Kent Broadbent family history books, 2013.
Custodial History
These items belonged to Kent Dastrup Broadbent until his passing. These items were then passed on to Kent's son, Dan Broadbent, who donated them to the library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Dan Broadbent; February 7th, 2019.
Appraisal
Collections documenting the work prominent individuals work in mass-media, which document or demonstrate the development of mass media in the United States (Media Arts History collection development policy IV-a-i-5, August 2018).
Processing Information
Processed; Shawn Hall; 2019.
Processing Information
Processed; Andy VanDomelen; 2019.
- Title
- Register of Kent Broadbent papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Shawn Hall
- Date
- 2019 March 6
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States