Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century

Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century - Hardcover

$39.91
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Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century
  • Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century
Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century - Hardcover

Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century - Hardcover

by Fiona Smyth
$39.91
$39.91

Book Overview

by Fiona Smyth (Author)

A ground-breaking account of the scientists and architects who pioneered acoustics in twentieth-century Britain.

On a winter's night in 1951, shortly after Evensong, the interior of St Paul's Cathedral echoed with gunfire. This was no act of violence but a scientific demonstration of new techniques in acoustic measurement. It aimed to address a surprising question: could a building be a musical instrument?

Pistols in St Paul's tells the fascinating story of the scientists, architects and musicians who set out to answer this question. Beginning at the turn of the century, their innovative experiments, which took place at sites ranging from Herbert Baker's Assembly Chamber in Delhi to Abbey Road Studios and a disused munitions factory near Perivale, would come to define the field of 'architectural acoustics'. They culminated in 1951 with the opening of the Royal Festival Hall - the first building to be designed for musical tone.

Deeply researched and richly illustrated, Pistols in St Paul's brings to light a scientific quest spanning half a century, one that demonstrates the power of international cooperation in the darkest of times.

Back Jacket

On a winter's night in 1951, shortly after Evensong, the interior of St Paul's Cathedral echoed with gunfire. This was no act of violence but a scientific demonstration of new techniques in acoustic measurement. It aimed to address a surprising question: could a building be a musical instrument?

Pistols in St Paul's tells the fascinating story of the scientists, architects and musicians who set out to answer this question. Beginning at the turn of the century, their innovative experiments, which took place at sites ranging from Herbert Baker's Assembly Chamber in Delhi to Abbey Road Studios and a disused munitions factory near Perivale, would come to define the field of 'architectural acoustics'. They culminated in 1951 with the opening of the Royal Festival Hall - the first building to be designed for musical tone.

Deeply researched and richly illustrated, Pistols in St Paul's brings to light a scientific quest spanning half a century, one that demonstrates the power of international cooperation in the darkest of times.

Author Biography

Fiona Smyth is an Assistant Professor in Architectural History and Theory at the University of Cambridge. Her research has been awarded the Newman Medal for Architectural Acoustics by the Acoustical Society of America, the Stanley Smith Prize for Construction History by the Construction History Society and the Hawksmoor Medal for Architectural History by the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain.

Number of Pages: 304
Dimensions: 1 x 9.21 x 6.14 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
ISBN9781526180209
Author Fiona Smyth
PublisherManchester University Press
GenreEducation, Design, and History
FormatHardcover
PublishedSeptember 2024
LanguageENG- English
Pages304
Weight1.0 lb
Target AudienceAdults
Print SizeStandard Print

Related Subjects

Architecture History Nonfiction Science

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