Acoustic research and engineering activities in Hungary in the last hundred years

* Hungarian acoustics dates back to 1893 when the „Telephone newscaster” was started. The first radio emission was transmitted from the Postal Experimental Station in 1924. Before WW2 the priority subject of acoustics was centered also around the radio: a number of dedicated studios were designed and built. This in turn drew the attention to the field of room acoustics. The most significant scientist of the second half of the 20th century was T. Tarnóczy, who was active in many areas. He founded a research group at ELTE University, which became an essential research entity of the Hungarian Academy of Science. A similarly important technical center was created at the Technical University under the leadership of Z. Barát. Electroacoustics was clearly the core activity of the Hungarian acoustic industry. A number of ministries have also founded R&D institutes. After 1990 most of these industrial and ministerial institutions have significantly shrinked or disappeared. Their leading staff members have often founded small businesses, offering engineering services. Research activities were concentrated to certain universities, initially supported by EU-funded projects. Nowadays they represent centers of gravity for various modern acoustic areas.