How Amar Bose created Bose Corporation
Bose Corporation is a world-renowned manufacturer of audio systems for home and professional use. The brand name has become synonymous with quality for all lovers of good sound.
The company’s founder is Amar Bose, who was born in 1923. In 1942, his father’s small business went bankrupt, and the young man decided to help his family financially. He began repairing radios and electrical toys, which sparked his interest in electrical engineering. He went on to earn a master’s degree from MIT.
In 1956, Bose took a job in a research laboratory at the university. Three years later, he defended his doctoral thesis in electrical engineering, which earned him a position as an assistant professor at MIT. Fate, however, made its adjustments. A year before taking up his new post, Amar travelled to India, the historic homeland of his father. In New Delhi, he lectured at the local university. At the time, stereo recordings and the equipment to listen to them were just beginning to appear. After buying one, Amar was disappointed with the sound quality. He decided to improve the system by changing the circuitry.
Back in the USA, Bose took up a position at MIT. However, he now concentrated on acoustic research. He patented many innovations that formed the basis of his company.
Founding and development of the company
In 1964, the company Bose appeared. Amar received start-up capital from business investors. He also received support from MIT, and his employees were Bose students. The company worked on military contracts for the United States for several years. In 1966, Bose began manufacturing products for a wide range of applications:
1. The first loudspeaker, the Bose 2201, had excellent sound. However, its high cost made it commercially unviable.
2. In 1968, its improved model came on the market, several times cheaper. Its design was unique at the time. Eight speakers faced the wall, but only one faced the listener. Traditionally, all the speakers faced the listener.
3. The company began manufacturing professional audio equipment in 1972. At the same time, Bose entered the German market in partnership with Bad Homburg.
The next stage in the company’s development came in the 1980s when the brand released its Modeler software. This software allowed users to analyse the acoustic characteristics of a particular room and calculate the optimum parameters for sound reinforcement.
At the same time, the company began producing car systems. Today, the brand supplies acoustics to more than 15 global car manufacturers.
Bose also makes products for the aviation industry. In 1986, the company introduced noise-cancelling headphones for pilots.
Amar Bose died in 2013. In 2011, the businessman transferred some of his shares to MIT, which receives dividends. The institute uses these funds to develop research projects.