Richard H. Small
Encyclopedia
Richard H. Small is an American
scientist
, who worked mainly on electroacoustics
. The Thiele/Small
parameters are named after him and Neville Thiele
.
. His father was an amateur pianist. Having a keen interest in electronics he built the amplifiers to drive the speakers in his parents house. His father built various enclosures for the loudspeakers, following the trends of the times. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the California Institute of Technology
in 1956 and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in 1958. He gained experience in electronic circuit design for high-performance analytical instruments at the Bell & Howell Research Center in California from 1958 to 1964. During this period, he took a one-year visiting fellowship at the Norwegian Technical University. After a working visit to Japan in 1964, he moved to Australia, where he got a part-time job at the University of Sydney
as a teaching assistant in the electronics lab. He became interested in loudspeaker analysis and measurement and met A. N. Thiele who was lecturing at the university. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree in 1972. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he published a series of nine papers -- now considered classics -- on the low-frequency analysis of closed-box, vented and passive radiator loudspeaker systems. He taught for a number of years at that university, but returned to industry in 1986 as Head of Research at KEF
Electronics Ltd. in Maidstone
, England
until 1993. He then joined Harman International based in their Martinsville, Indiana, USA facility.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, who worked mainly on electroacoustics
Electroacoustics
Electroacoustics may refer to:*Electroacoustic music*Electroacoustic phenomena* Acoustical engineering, the interdisciplinary branch of Acoustics, electronics and electrical engineering dealing with electronic devices...
. The Thiele/Small
Thiele/Small
"Thiele/Small" commonly refers to a set of electromechanical parameters that define the specified low frequency performance of a loudspeaker driver. These parameters are published in specification sheets by driver manufacturers so that designers have a guide in selecting off-the-shelf drivers for...
parameters are named after him and Neville Thiele
Neville Thiele
Dr. Albert Neville Thiele OAM born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, generally known as Neville Thiele and publishing under the name A...
.
Career
Small was born in San Diego, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. His father was an amateur pianist. Having a keen interest in electronics he built the amplifiers to drive the speakers in his parents house. His father built various enclosures for the loudspeakers, following the trends of the times. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
in 1956 and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in 1958. He gained experience in electronic circuit design for high-performance analytical instruments at the Bell & Howell Research Center in California from 1958 to 1964. During this period, he took a one-year visiting fellowship at the Norwegian Technical University. After a working visit to Japan in 1964, he moved to Australia, where he got a part-time job at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
as a teaching assistant in the electronics lab. He became interested in loudspeaker analysis and measurement and met A. N. Thiele who was lecturing at the university. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree in 1972. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he published a series of nine papers -- now considered classics -- on the low-frequency analysis of closed-box, vented and passive radiator loudspeaker systems. He taught for a number of years at that university, but returned to industry in 1986 as Head of Research at KEF
KEF
KEF is a British-based loudspeaker manufacturer with international distribution.It was founded in Tovil, Maidstone, Kent in 1961 by electrical engineer Raymond Cooke and named after Kent Engineering & Foundry which previously occupied the site....
Electronics Ltd. in Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
until 1993. He then joined Harman International based in their Martinsville, Indiana, USA facility.