Robert Moog, American businessman, founded Moog Music (b. 1934)
Robert Arthur Moog ( MOHG; May 23, 1934 – August 21, 2005) was an American engineering physicist and pioneer of electronic music. He was the founder of Moog Music and the inventor of the first commercial synthesizer, the Moog synthesizer, which debuted in 1964. This was followed in 1970 by a more portable model, the Minimoog, described as the most famous and influential synthesizer in history.
Moog created fundamental synthesizer concepts such as voltage control, modularity, envelope generation and the pitch wheel. He is credited for helping bring synthesizers to a wider audience and influencing the development of popular music. His only patent was on his filter design; commentators have speculated that he would have become extremely wealthy had he patented his other innovations, but that their availability in the public domain helped the synthesizer industry flourish.
In 1971, Moog sold Moog Music to Norlin Musical Instruments, where he remained as a designer until 1977. In 1978, he founded the company Big Briar, and in 2002 renamed it Moog Music after buying back the rights to the name. In later years, Moog taught at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and worked on designs for further instruments.
2005Aug, 21
Robert Moog
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- 24Apr
Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI. - 25Apr
European Union
Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union. - 17Aug
Israeli disengagement from Gaza
The first forced evacuation of settlers, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza, starts. - 24Oct
Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida
Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida resulting in 35 direct 26 indirect fatalities and causing $20.6B USD in damage. - 30Oct
Bombing of Dresden in World War II
The rebuilt Dresden Frauenkirche (destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II) is reconsecrated after a thirteen-year rebuilding project.