The Editor’s 3 Dot Lounge
Lessons from history
By
Keith Clark
To say that I love history is an understatement. One of the primary sources
of this love has to be my father, and it’s one of the gifts he bestowed
that’s among my most treasured. The man had a true library of history
books, taking up a full wall in the family room, and I spent probably
thousands of hours absorbed in these texts.
As I got older, we talked history, sometimes for hours, and often over
a “cold one”. (Actually, and fortunately, we still do.) The guy knows
his stuff, and has the insight to relate things that happened centuries
ago to the present day. This from a man who didn’t get the opportunity
to go to college, and who earned a living developing coursework for the
Bell telephone companies.
One key question I’ve never asked him: why? Why the passion for “things
old,” this quest to unearth the facts and events of yesteryear and put
them in some semblance of understanding for time present?
Probably his answer would be similar to my own. We can draw deep understanding
from what’s already happened. Human beings are creatures of habit, and
we seem destined to repeat ourselves, regardless of era or technology.
Our present surroundings, no matter the point in time, often serve only
as a backdrop to what we’re going to do, the decisions we’re making and
going to make. Yes, history does repeat itself. (Love it when a cliché
proves true...)
To me, history is storytelling, but the best part is that it’s no fantasy.
It’s real, it happened, it led us to this current point, and in many ways,
tells us what could be coming as we move forward. Particularly if we’re
wise enough to base our decisions on the “good” moments of the past, while
avoiding the pitfalls created by the “bad” ones.
As you read through this issue of Live Sound, you’ll see several
pieces devoted to our own recent pro audio history. The detailing of the
1974 California Jam by Wayne Yentis is not only a masterpiece of documenting
the technical aspects of a marvelously complicated event, but it clearly
shows us that what we in the present generation consider “new” is really
not so new at all.
History tells us that this arrogance of “present invention” among generations
is very common, and almost quaint in a way. A great idea can still be
that, and adapted to modern times, but it’s often an idea that was conceived
long ago by someone else, and without modern advantages.
The retrospective of Sennheiser Electronic Corporation at its 40th year
in this business provides another lesson. And that is, sometimes success
is not based upon what one might invent to create an opportunity, but
rather using what one does have to “bootstrap” to future growth.
And despite all of the great advancements in the technology and tools
currently in use for modern sound reinforcement, is it really time to
step back and look at focusing on the basics? Ivan Schwartz asks this
among several compelling questions about the current state of the industry.
Finally, John Stiernberg challenges us to look at our own history and
motivations. Why are we in this business? What led us to this point? The
answers to these questions might help us be better in our chosen profession.
History tells us much, even the relatively brief history of modern sound
reinforcement. It seems incumbent upon us all to pay attention to this
past and use it as a guide to a thriving future.
Keith Clark is the editor of Live Sound International. Contact him at kclark@livesoundint.com
September 2003 Live Sound International