Sooy, H. O. (Harry O.), 1875-1927

Harry O. Sooy was a machinist and recording engineer with the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, N.J.

From the description of Miscellany, 1904-1918. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 123466059

Machinist and recording engineer.

Harry O. Sooy was born on March 11, 1875 and joined the Camden, N.J., machine shop of phonograph pioneer Eldgidge R. Johnson in 1898, where he was later joined by his brothers Raymond and Charles. Johnson made gramophones for the Berliner Gramophone Company and also early recordings. After Berliner went into receivership in 1900, Johnson began full-scale manufacture of phonographs, leading to the formation of the Victor Talking Machine Company a year later. Sooy was transferred to the Recording Dept. early on and thus became heavily involved in the development of American sound recording. He was Chief of the Recording Staff (1909-1916), Manager of the Recording Dept. (1916-1923) and Superintendent of Recording (1923-1927). He died in Oakland, Calif., on May 24, 1927, and was succeed by his brother Raymond.

From the description of Diary, 1898-1925. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 80438419