Harry D. Belock
Encyclopedia
Harry David Belock was an American electronics inventor, engineer
and entrepreneur
.
.
Belock was a self-taught scientist. He was described as one of the world’s greatest electronic scientists without a string of college degrees after his name.
An early occupation was construction of one of Brooklyn
’s first radio stations, WARS atop the Shelburne Hotel. Belock spent 1933-1935 as a sound engineer in Hollywood and years as a free lance inventor. He designed transmitters and sound-effects equipment for CBS
. He also worked for Bing Crosby
, troubleshooting the photo finish
timer system at Del Mar Racetrack
.
During World War II
and after, Belock developed the REAC computer for Reeves Instrument Corporation (for which he became a vice president and general manager). The REAC was one of the first electronic computing machines. It was used for the U.S. Navy’s Project Cyclone.
Belock joined with Helen Neushaefer (president of Neushaefer Cosmetics) to found the Belock Instrument Corporation in November 1950. The company prospered over the next four years – going from no sales to $10,600,000 and seven staff to over 1,200. Defense electronics equipment was designed and built in a 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) building in College Point, Queens
.
The New York Times described Harry Belock in March 1955 as a thin intense 47-year old. He was an avid amateur golfer, and enjoyed using his 50 feet (15.2 m) flush deck Chris-Craft yacht, the Bar-L-Rick, for engineering projects and cruising. His home and yacht were filled with electronic devices.
In 1958, Belock joined with producer Bert Whyte to start Everest Records
, a division of his Belock Instrument Corporation.
Belock patented five inventions between 1941 and 1961. He served as a consultant to Sperry Gyroscope, General Dynamics
Pomona Division, and the Applied Physics Laboratory
of Johns Hopkins University
. He also started Harry Belock Associates, an engineering consulting company. Belock was awarded the U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award in 1965. He was a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
. Belock received a Doctorate in Science degree from the Pratt Institute
in 1967 where he was also Alumnus of the Year. He was also a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi
.
He died November 8, 1999 in Long Beach, New York
.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
.
Biography
He was born April 10, 1908 in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Belock was a self-taught scientist. He was described as one of the world’s greatest electronic scientists without a string of college degrees after his name.
An early occupation was construction of one of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
’s first radio stations, WARS atop the Shelburne Hotel. Belock spent 1933-1935 as a sound engineer in Hollywood and years as a free lance inventor. He designed transmitters and sound-effects equipment for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. He also worked for Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, troubleshooting the photo finish
Photo finish
A photo finish occurs in a sporting race, when two competitors cross the finishing line at near the same time. As the naked eye may not be able to discriminate between which of the competitors crossed the line first, a strip photo, a series of rapidly triggered photographs, or a video taken at the...
timer system at Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Turf Meets The Surf." It was built by a partnership...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and after, Belock developed the REAC computer for Reeves Instrument Corporation (for which he became a vice president and general manager). The REAC was one of the first electronic computing machines. It was used for the U.S. Navy’s Project Cyclone.
Belock joined with Helen Neushaefer (president of Neushaefer Cosmetics) to found the Belock Instrument Corporation in November 1950. The company prospered over the next four years – going from no sales to $10,600,000 and seven staff to over 1,200. Defense electronics equipment was designed and built in a 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) building in College Point, Queens
College Point, Queens
College Point is a working-middle class neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is located north of Flushing on Flushing Bay and the East River and is part of the Queens Community Board 7. Willets Point Boulevard and the Whitestone Expressway are often the neighborhood's...
.
The New York Times described Harry Belock in March 1955 as a thin intense 47-year old. He was an avid amateur golfer, and enjoyed using his 50 feet (15.2 m) flush deck Chris-Craft yacht, the Bar-L-Rick, for engineering projects and cruising. His home and yacht were filled with electronic devices.
In 1958, Belock joined with producer Bert Whyte to start Everest Records
Everest Records
Everest Records was a stereophonic record label based in Bayside, Long Island started by Harry D. Belock and Bert Whyte in May 1958. It was devoted mainly to classical music.-History:...
, a division of his Belock Instrument Corporation.
Belock patented five inventions between 1941 and 1961. He served as a consultant to Sperry Gyroscope, General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
Pomona Division, and the Applied Physics Laboratory
Applied Physics Laboratory
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , located in Howard County, Maryland near Laurel and Columbia, is a not-for-profit, university-affiliated research center employing 4,500 people. APL is primarily a defense contractor. It serves as a technical resource for the Department of...
of Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
. He also started Harry Belock Associates, an engineering consulting company. Belock was awarded the U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award in 1965. He was a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
. Belock received a Doctorate in Science degree from the Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
in 1967 where he was also Alumnus of the Year. He was also a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Pi
The Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second oldest collegiate honor society in America. It honors engineering students who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity...
.
He died November 8, 1999 in Long Beach, New York
Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is a city in Nassau County, New York. Just south of Long Island, it is located on Long Beach Barrier Island, which is the westernmost of the outer barrier islands off Long Island's South Shore. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 33,275...
.
Family history
Belock’s parents were Russian immigrants: father Nathan (1876-1972) and mother Mattie. He had three sisters: Mary, Tillie, and Honnie Duncan. He was married to Lilyan Davidoff in Florida in 1941. Lilyan, born November 12, 1910, preceded him in death on July 27, 1984.Further reading
- Bedingfield, Robert E. “Along the Highways and Byways of Finance” New York Times, March 20, 1955, page F3 (includes picture of Belock)
- ”Belock Concern Formed” New York Times, November 27, 1950, page 47.
- ”Computing Device Freed to Public” New York Times, April 14, 1950, page 35.
- ”Dr. Harry Belock” Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, November 11, 1999, page 5A.
- Harry D. Belock on imdb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0069397/
- “Reaches New York” New York Times, June 13, 1954 (Belock’s yacht Bar-L-Rick featured)
- Who’s Who in Engineering 1978 & 1980.
- ”Yankee Ingenuity in New Products” New York Times, April 16, 1950, page F11. (includes picture of Belock)