(Editor's Note: This copy is presented unedited, as written by Mr. Kahn. You'll note that he's a very good writer, with a clean, direct style. And, during the 1980s, E-V was shortened to EV.)

Al Kahn

Lou Burroughs and I formed a partnership on September 1, 1927 to service radio receivers. Both of us were in our early twenties and had been radio experimenters for a number of years. The invested capital was $30.00 and a second-hand car. The firm prospered and within a year was the largest radio service shop in South Bend, Indiana. In addition, we had begun the retailing of radio equipment.

The depression all but wiped us out. We found ourselves insolvent to the extent of $5,000. To survive and pay our creditors, we began work in the audio field and liquidated the remnants of the service and retail business.

The first product was a portable public address system, the first, to our knowledge, ever to be built, and was sold to Knute Rockne of Notre Dame for coaching from a tower. He named it his "Electric Voice." On July 1, 1930, we incorporated and adopted the name "Electro-Voice."

The first block in this new business was the poor quality and high prices of available microphones. Sensing an opportunity, we purchased a lathe and drill press and began making them at the rate of one a week (last month we made 20,000).

Burroughs withdrew and I assumed his obligations and stock. By 1933 all debts of the defunct business were paid in full by the new company.

Out of debt, earnings were retained and by 1936 twenty people were employed. Lou Burroughs returned as chief engineer and E-V had already begun to make significant contributions to the industry.

In 1941, restrictions were placed on civilian goods and we had no contracts. Intensive work was done on a differential noise-canceling microphone. So radical in conception, we met with resistance by most government laboratories. Persisting, because we believed in it, we finally brought it to the attention of the right people. It was quickly standardized for all ground forces and Marine Corps.

We licensed the U.S. Government, royalty-free, and within a year were producing 2,500 a day. Our Army-Navy "E" was among the first in the area and industry to be awarded. Relations with the government with regard to quality, delivery, price, renegotiation and termination were harmonious.

By 1946, we began a new era. New facilities were acquired and expanded engineering began. In 1948, we began production of phonograph pick-up cartridges, which was immediately successful. In 1950, we produced the first automatic TV booster which sold in substantial quantities.

Also in 1950, we laid the groundwork for our present loudspeaker line. This timing proved to be right for our tooling, designs and distribution was set up when the expanding market developed in 1952.

Microphones

Broadcast and Telecast

We have grown, through the years, to be, we believe, the largest producer of microphones in the world (no official statistics are available). Our line is broad and covers most types that are used in all services.

For the past two years, we have been quite successful in breaking into the broadcast and telecast industry. All major networks, except NBC who is owned by RCA, a competitor, use E-V microphones in quantity. Another new model is being introduced which should clinch our position and put us into first place in this field, ahead of RCA.

Public Address

For years we have been one of the two leading brands. We are exceptionally strong in the middle and upper price groups. New low priced models are being tooled and will be announced in May 1954. We anticipate that our position will be further enhanced by strengthening the lower cost segment of the line.

Recording

For several years we have produced most of the initial equipment for home tape recorders built in America. Some of these are built to customer’s specifications and case style.

Communications

Although we rank second in this field, we have plans for increasing our sales in this market. We are, however, strong in the aviation industry, supplying microphones to United Air Lines, TWA, Transcanada and smaller lines. We furnish equipment for all Cessna planes.

Special Purpose

The differential noise-canceling microphone has been adapted to many interesting uses wherever high ambient noise is a disturbing factor. The second-order differential has great promise for the future.