Alan Blumlein Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Alan Dower Blumlein (1903-1942) was a pioneering British electronics engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the fields of audio recording, stereo sound, and television. Born in Hampstead, London, Blumlein showed an early aptitude for engineering and went on to study at the City and Guilds College (now part of Imperial College London).

Throughout his career, Blumlein worked for EMI, where he developed numerous groundbreaking inventions. He was responsible for creating the “Blumlein Pair,” a stereo recording technique using two microphones angled at 90 degrees, which laid the foundation for modern stereo sound. Blumlein also made significant advancements in television technology, including the development of the 405-line high-definition television system used by the BBC until 1985.

Blumlein lived at 37 The Ridings in Ealing, a borough in west London known for its film studios and historic sites. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1942 at the age of 38 when the plane he was aboard crashed during a secret wartime mission. Despite his untimely death, Blumlein’s innovations left an indelible mark on the world of electronics and entertainment. In 1977, the Borough of Ealing honored his legacy by erecting a blue plaque at his former residence, ensuring that his contributions will be remembered by generations to come.