History of Fisher Stereos
In the world of sound design, Fisher stereos loom large. Fisher Radio produced high-end stereo receivers that utilized state-of-the-art technology and beckoned the era of high-fidelity sound.
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Early Years
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Avery Fisher was born in New York in 1906. In the 1930s, he began experimenting with audio design, hoping to improve upon existing radio technology.
Philharmonic Radio
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Fisher founded Philharmonic Radio in 1937, putting his new expertise in amplifier, tuner and speaker design to the manufacturing test. The company was a success, and Fisher sold Philharmonic in 1945 to start a second business, Fisher Radio.
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Fisher Radio
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Fisher expanded on his success by utilizing Fisher Radio to develop state-of-the-art stereo receivers and components. His largest contributions during the 1950s--and arguably for stereo technology in general--were the development of the first transistorized amplifier and first stereo radio-phonograph.
1960s
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The 1960s were an especially fruitful time for Fisher Radio. The company made several advances in AM-FM stereo tuner design and improved the power of its components.
Fisher 500-C
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In 1964, Fisher Radio introduced the 500-C Stereophonic FM Multiplex Receiver, perhaps its greatest achievement. The 500-C exemplified the near perfection Fisher had achieved in high-fidelity sound design. More than 100,000 were made. As of August 2009, they can cost $150 to $600.
Conclusion
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Fisher sold his company to Emerson (which later sold it to Sanyo) in 1969 when he saw the market steer toward mass merchandising. While Fisher went on to become a philanthropist until his death in 1994, his work has continued to serve as a cornerstone of modern stereo design.
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