Arlington, TX (Top40 Charts/ Consumer Electronics Association) The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) mourns the loss of
Sidney Harman. Dr. Harman was executive chairman of Newsweek, chairman of the Academy for Polymathic Study at the University of Southern California, founder of Harman Industries and a Consumer Electronics (CE) Hall of Fame inductee. At the age of 92, Dr. Harman passed away Tuesday due to complications from acute myeloid leukemia.
"Sidney was a true industry leader who revolutionized the music industry," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2000, an award that commemorates the impact icons like Sidney had on our industry. With the passing of Sidney, we have lost a good friend and mentor."
In addition to his work in the CE industry, Harman had an impressive career helping build and develop facilities for arts and education.
Sidney Harman's career began when he partnered with Bernard Kardon to develop the first home audio receiver. After buying his partner out in 1956, Harman continued to expand Harman Kardon into an audio powerhouse focusing on the niche high-quality audio market. During the Carter administration, Harman was appointed as Undersecretary of the Department of Commerce. To avoid a conflict of interest, he sold the company only to piece it back together in 1980 after leaving government service. The newly formed HARMAN International Professional Group grew to offer system solutions for the processional audio market and also successfully branched into the automotive electronics market.
