Chowning (John M.) papers, 1974-2014
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- John M. Chowning papers
- Dates:
- 1974-2014
- Creators:
- Chowning, John M.
- Abstract:
- Collection consists largely of correspondence between Chowning, the Yamaha Corporation, and the Technology Licensing Office at Stanford, 1974-97; other items include patents and related documents, 1978-87, technical writings (not all by Chowning), 1974-87, publications and leaflets on Yamaha products, and miscellaneous notes. The technical writings include "Excerpts from Computer Music Proposal Submitted to National Science Foundation," July 1974; "Sine Summation Formula Synthesis," ca. 1976; and "Progress Report on the Development of the FM-type Musical Instrument for the period of March 1979 to February 1980."
- Extent:
- 1.5 Linear Feet and 6 gigabyte(s)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item] John M. Chowning papers (SC0906). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection consists largely of correspondence between Chowning, the Yamaha Corporation, and the Technology Licensing Office at Stanford, 1974-97; other items include patents and related documents, 1978-87, technical writings (not all by Chowning), 1974-87, publications and leaflets on Yamaha products, and miscellaneous notes. The technical writings include "Excerpts from Computer Music Proposal Submitted to National Science Foundation," July 1974; "Sine Summation Formula Synthesis," ca. 1976; and "Progress Report on the Development of the FM-type Musical Instrument for the period of March 1979 to February 1980."
- Biographical / historical:
-
John M. Chowning, professor emeritus of music at Stanford, developed the technique for creating digital sounds in the late 1960s which was patented and then licensed to Yamaha in 1973. He earned his bachelor of music at Wittenberg University in 1959, studied composition with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, and earned his Ph.D. at Stanford in 1966. He was the founding director in 1975 of Stanford's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics.
- Physical location:
- Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged three business days in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/spc.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-03 09:52:16 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
While Stanford University is the owner of the physical and/or digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Except materials in the public domain, any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the rightsholders, heir(s), or assigns. For more information, see: https://library.stanford.edu/special-collections-policies.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item] John M. Chowning papers (SC0906). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Stanford University Archives, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6064, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022