Norio Ohga, the Creator of CDs, Dies at 81 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-23-2011, 06:06 PM

Sony Chairman Credited With Developing CDs Dies
Apr 23, 2011
AP

Opera singer Norio Ohga complained about the quality of Sony tape recorders before he was hired by the company, developed the compact disc and championed its superior sound.

Love of music steered the former Sony chairman's career and in turn, he transformed the Japanese electronics maker into a global software and entertainment empire.

The company president and chairman from 1982 to 1995, Ohga died Saturday in Tokyo of multiple organ failure, Sony said. He was 81.

A former opera singer, Ohga insisted the CD be designed at 12 centimeters (4.8 inches) in diameter - or 75 minutes worth of music - to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in its entirety.

From the start, Ohga recognized the potential of the CD's superior sound quality. In the 1970s, when Ohga insisted CDs would eventually replace record albums, skeptics scoffed. Herbert von Karajan, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock spoke up in defense of Sony's digital sound.

Sony sold the world's first CD in 1982 and CDs overtook LP record sales in Japan five years later. The specifications are still used today and fostered the devices developed since.

"It is no exaggeration to attribute Sony's evolution beyond audio and video products into music, movies and game, and subsequent transformation into a global entertainment leader to Ohga-san's foresight and vision," Sony Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Stringer said Saturday, using the Japanese honorific.

Ohga is survived by his wife, Midori. Sony said a private wake will be held later.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/23/so...3_lnk2%7C57954

Marvo301 · 04-23-2011, 06:57 PM

Norio Ohga. Thank-you for your creation. I can't even imagine my life without CD's, DVD's etc.!

MrCleveland · 04-23-2011, 09:37 PM

RIP...Great Inventor!

catlover79 · 04-23-2011, 11:46 PM

...I can't tell you how many of his inventions I've bought over the years!!

Dr. Thong · 04-24-2011, 09:17 PM

There's a great book called Appetite For Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age. A good chunk of it chronicles the evolution of the CD (the creation goes back to the 1960s) and how it revolutionized the music industry.

If you are a fan of pop culture, the music industry and the evolution of CD technology, I heartily recommend this book.

MickeyMac · 04-25-2011, 11:57 AM

My condolences to his family, but IMHO his invention was the worst thing that ever happened to music.

Dr. Thong · 04-25-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

My condolences to his family, but IMHO his invention was the worst thing that ever happened to music.

????

MickeyMac · 04-25-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

????

Not a big fan of CD's and then that lead to downloading, Ipods and MP3's.

You are talking to a pure record man here.

Dr. Thong · 04-25-2011, 03:22 PM

Ahh, a vinyl purist. Gotcha.

Vinyl does have a warmer sound, I'll give you that. But aside from the first time you play it back, it degrades due to scratches & pops and skips.

A well-mastered CD sounds just as good to my ears. Unfortunately, too many of today's CDs are mastered too loudly (brickwalled) and hurt the ears.

MickeyMac · 04-25-2011, 06:02 PM

it degrades due to scratches & pops and skips

Not if you take care of them and store them properly.

04-23-2011, 06:06 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,039	Norio Ohga, the Creator of CDs, Dies at 81 Sony Chairman Credited With Developing CDs Dies Apr 23, 2011 AP Opera singer Norio Ohga complained about the quality of Sony tape recorders before he was hired by the company, developed the compact disc and championed its superior sound. Love of music steered the former Sony chairman's career and in turn, he transformed the Japanese electronics maker into a global software and entertainment empire. The company president and chairman from 1982 to 1995, Ohga died Saturday in Tokyo of multiple organ failure, Sony said. He was 81. A former opera singer, Ohga insisted the CD be designed at 12 centimeters (4.8 inches) in diameter - or 75 minutes worth of music - to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in its entirety. From the start, Ohga recognized the potential of the CD's superior sound quality. In the 1970s, when Ohga insisted CDs would eventually replace record albums, skeptics scoffed. Herbert von Karajan, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock spoke up in defense of Sony's digital sound. Sony sold the world's first CD in 1982 and CDs overtook LP record sales in Japan five years later. The specifications are still used today and fostered the devices developed since. "It is no exaggeration to attribute Sony's evolution beyond audio and video products into music, movies and game, and subsequent transformation into a global entertainment leader to Ohga-san's foresight and vision," Sony Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Stringer said Saturday, using the Japanese honorific. Ohga is survived by his wife, Midori. Sony said a private wake will be held later. http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/23/so...3_lnk2%7C57954 Attached Images

04-23-2011, 06:57 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Norio Ohga. Thank-you for your creation. I can't even imagine my life without CD's, DVD's etc.!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-23-2011, 09:37 PM	#3
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	RIP...Great Inventor!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

04-23-2011, 11:46 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	...I can't tell you how many of his inventions I've bought over the years!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-24-2011, 09:17 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	There's a great book called Appetite For Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age. A good chunk of it chronicles the evolution of the CD (the creation goes back to the 1960s) and how it revolutionized the music industry. If you are a fan of pop culture, the music industry and the evolution of CD technology, I heartily recommend this book.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

04-25-2011, 11:57 AM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	My condolences to his family, but IMHO his invention was the worst thing that ever happened to music.

04-25-2011, 03:22 PM	#9
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Ahh, a vinyl purist. Gotcha. Vinyl does have a warmer sound, I'll give you that. But aside from the first time you play it back, it degrades due to scratches & pops and skips. A well-mastered CD sounds just as good to my ears. Unfortunately, too many of today's CDs are mastered too loudly (brickwalled) and hurt the ears.

04-25-2011, 06:02 PM	#10
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	it degrades due to scratches & pops and skips Not if you take care of them and store them properly.