Ray Dolby: Sound Pioneer Dies At Age 80

Ray Dolby has died at the age of 80. The sound pioneer suffered for years with Alzheimer’s and was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia.

The pioneer of audio technology founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965. He is best known for his noise reduction and surround sound technologies. His revolutionary work made him a billionaire by 2005.

As reported by Forbes, the first film to use surround sound technology was A Clockwork Orange in 1971 . Movie goers were treated to a fully immersive experience for the very first time.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Ray Dolby became interested in sound when he learned to play the clarinet. He was fascinated with connection between the sound and vibration.

Dolby went on to study electrical engineering at Stanford. He eventually graduated from Cambridge in 1961 with a PhD in physics.

Following his graduation, Dolby worked with the UK’s atomic Energy Authority and as a United Nations consultant.

Dolby Laboratories was founded in London. However, Dolby eventually relocated to San Francisco, California.

Dolby was a generous man, donating $35 million to the University of California. The donations were used to fund stem cell research.

Throughout his career, Dolby was the recipient of numerous awards. He was honored with several Emmys, two Oscars, and one Grammy. Dolby also received the National Medal of Technology.

In addition to the awards, Dolby was honored with induction into the Royal Academy of Engineers and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 2012, the Dolby TheaterSM and Ray Dolby Ballroom were both named in his honor.

As reported by CBS News, Dolby’s wife Dagmar says Ray was living his dream . She explains that her husband of 47 years ” [did] exactly what he wanted… whichever way he wanted… and in the process, did a lot of good for music and film lovers.”

Ray Dolby’s son says that his “father’s achievements in technology grew out of a love of music and the arts.”