I
recently enjoyed a visit to the new Seattle Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), a much anticipated visit to the re-situated, larger facility
that opened in March 2013. They are able to display more of
their treasures and they use modern museum techniques to enhance the
experience.
It
was nice. I enjoyed the glimpses of Seattle's early days, seeing the
running Rainier Beer and other familiar sights from the past. When I
came to the last exhibit the unbidden thought rushed up – Where was
the Audio Industry? There was no trace of the vibrant companies and
inventions that made the Pacific Northwest one of the few seriously
active hubs in the global audio market. Yet in our Museum of History
and Industry, there was no sign of our industry at all.
Audio
Industry Historical Society, Inc. was born April 22, 2013, and
incorporated May 8, 2013 as non-profit corporation to fill this great
hole. We are currently filing for 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status from
the IRS.
Statement
of Purpose. AIHS was created to celebrate, appreciate, and
preserve memories, products, and artifacts of the Audio Industry and
its local and global role in our culture. By shedding light on the
history and achievements of those in the Audio Industry, AIHS will
provide opportunity to educate our members and the community through
publications, displays, equipment, programs, seminars, and
educational activities.
The
Audio Industry is about the creation and distribution of music. It's
about the speakers, amplifiers, mixers, and other equipment that
allowed all of us to enjoy our favorite music, and the engineers,
inventors, and sales people who turned several locations into the
most prolific audio corners of the world. In telling the story, we
hope to show how the people of the Audio Industry, inspired by a love
of music in all its forms, helped create a rich design, recording,
manufacturing and sales network, and ultimately influenced pop
culture worldwide.
There
are 6 areas that will be covered first (list below), but we are
starting with what we know:
Pacific
Northwest
Bay
Area
Boston
New
York
Los
Angeles
More
to come.
