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Document found in the BAi offices, Austin, TX
Born: 1900, Nocona, Texas
Entered University of Texas 1916
BA Physics, 1920 (UT)
MA Physics, 1922 (UT)
Whiting Fellow, Harvard University, 1927-1928
PhD Physics, 1929 (UT)
Dr. boner accomplished the rare feat of serving at every position in the University organization, from Freshman through PhD, from
Instructor to full Professor, Department Chairman, Dean and Vice President of the University.
In 1923, he spent one year in commercial radio. During this time, he developed an intense interest in sound and electroacoustics.
During the 1920’s, he worked under Professor S. L. Brown of the Physics Department. He helped build and operate the first KUT radio
station, and built the first large scale public address system for Memorial Stadium. At the time, it was one of the most powerful in the United States. Sound was broadcast through 3 groups of megaphones, each
measuring 10’ x 10’. Each such horn was fed by 4 loudspeakers, with 120 Watts of power. Total cost of this early system was $3,000.
During the 1930’s he served as Professor of Physics at UT, including appointment as Chairman of the Department in the late ‘30’s. During
this time, he conducted extensive research on various phases of acoustics, especially in regard to the physics of organ pipes, valve construction of pipe organs, broadcast studios, architectural acoustics, and
electroacoustics. He helped pioneer the design of broadcast studios and music rooms employing sound diffusing structures. The design of WFAA-KGKO Studios atop the Santa Fe Building in Fort Worth was the first such
constructed in the United States (1941).
Appointed by the Federal Trade Commission to help settle disputes relating to sounds of electronic organs as compared to those of pipe
organs, he devised instrumentation analyzing tonal characteristics, resulting in settlement of a major truth in advertising dispute.
Throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s, Dr. Boner’s primary hobby was the playing and construction of pipe organs. Beginning in 1934, the
University acquired used organ pipes and console material from three unused theater pipe organs. Over the next two years, with the aid of various graduate students, a pipe organ was constructed in the old Physics
Building lecture room (now Painter Hall). One of the graduate students engaged in this project was Robert B Newman, later one of the founders of Bolt, Beranek and Newman Acoustical Consultants. This organ was used
for numerous studies of the acoustical characteristics of radiating pipes up until the early 1940’s. It consisted of over 1800 pipes, and was driven by a 12 HP blower, with wind pressure of 5” to 15” water gauge.
There were 169 stops. Total project cost to the University was $3,000.
This four-manual organ was used daily on radio station KNOW, in the University Hour from 5:30 to 6:00. It was also used in the Southwest
Network’s “Organ Reveries” weekly, with Dr. Boner at the console.
In the early 1940’s, Dr. Boner served as acoustical consultant for the new University of Texas Music Building. This radical design was
among the first “modern” music buildings in the country using such techniques as angled walls, acoustical diffusion, and spring-isolated floors, walls and ceilings. The design was coordinated with renowned architect
George Dahl of Dallas, together with Dr. E. W. Doty, Chairman of the Department of Music.
In 1942, Dr. Boner took a leave of absence from UT to serve as Associate Director, Harvard Underwater Sound Labs. In that position, he
played a significant role in the development of advanced sonar devices and the acoustic torpedo. It was largely due to these developments that the Allies prevailed in the battle against the submarine menace in the
later years of WWII. As a result of his duties at HUSL, Dr. Boner received the Naval Ordance Award for work in connections with anti-submarine weapons and special torpedoes, and the Joint Army-Navy certificate of
appreciation for his contribution to the war effort.
In 1945, Dr. Boner returned to the University of Texas, and formed the Defense Research Laboratories. He served as director of DRL from
1945 to 1965, during which time the lab evolved into a first rank national institution. The name of the Defense Research Laboratories changed its name in the late 1960’s to the Applied Research Laboratories.
In 1949, Dr. Boner founded the Office of Government Sponsered Research (OGSR) at UT. This organization assisted faculty in preparing
research proposals, locating sponsors, analyzing technical features of contracts and grants, and in recommending to the Chancellor’s office the final disposition of each proposal and agreement.
Also in 1949, Dr. Boner was appointed as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and served in that capacity until 1954.
In 1950, Dr. Boner served as a member of the Bureau of Ordnance and Aeroballistics, helping evaluate the risk of atomic attack.
In 1953, the position of Dean of the University was added to his duties. From 1954 to 1957, he also served as Vice President of Academic
affairs.
In 1957, he returned solely to duties associated with the directorship of DRL. Beginning in 1960, he began a gradual process of transition
and retirement from University life (not complete until 1970).
From 1960 through 1973, he successfully developed an independent acoustical consulting firm, still in practice as Boner Associates,
Consultants in Acoustics. During these years, he served as consultant of record on numerous public and private facilities of every type. From 1947 to 1950 he was the Chairman of the Executive Council of the
Acoustical Society of America. In 1963, he was elected President of the Acoustical Society of America. In the early and mid 1960’s, he developed the first successful technique for equalization and feedback control
in sound reinforcing systems, using the technique of narrow-band RLC notch filtering. He was awarded three patents during this time for sound system equalization. All sound system equalization in practice today
traces back to this development.
Dr. Boner retired gradually from private practice from 1973 to 1976, and died in 1979.
Since 1983, the National Council of Acoustical Consultants, in Dr. Boner’s honer, has awarded the Boner Metal to outstanding acoustical
consultants in the country.
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