Family background; identification with and influence of mentor Harvey Fletcher; bachelor's degree; calling as a Mormon missionary in Chicago, graduate course in physics with Albert A. Michelson. Work on electronics and acoustics at Western Electric at the invitation of Fletcher; influence of the work of Hendrik Johannes van der Bijl and Harold D. Arnold. Resumption of graduate studies at University of Chicago in 1919 and recollection of his work there with Michelson and Robert Millikan; change of dissertation topic to investigation of a hearing problem using vacuum tube circuits. Research on the hearing of speech in 1929 at University of California-Southern Branch; commission by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Co. for design of sound stages; design of auditoriums and studios; work on measurement of sound absorption. Dean of graduate division at University of California at Los Angeles, problems during his administration in establishing degree programs; his tenure as Vice Chancellor and as Chancellor; political problems with the Right. Director of National Defense Research Committee during World War II; applications of acoustics to anti-submarine warfare at San Diego Underwater Sound Laboratory. Organization of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), role of Wallace Waterfall. Comments on teaching and religion; activities since retirement, non-professional interests; recent research in wave acoustics.