Shure's Journey: How a Small Radio Parts Manufacturer Became an Audio Giant

In 1925, a small radio company in Chicago, Shure, started with just one person – Sidney N. Shure¹. By 1928, the company had grown, showing Shure’s quick rise. But, the Great Depression in 1929 was a big challenge.

Shure then changed its business and became a distributor for Ellis Electrical Laboratories¹. In 1932, Shure released its first original microphone, the Model 33N. It was known for being lightweight¹.

Shure’s journey from a small radio parts maker to a giant in audio is inspiring. It shows the company’s strength, creativity, and dedication to top-notch sound technology. This article will explore Shure’s amazing story, from its early days to becoming a leader in microphones and audio equipment.

The Origins of Shure: From a One-Man Operation to a Thriving Business

In 1925, Sidney N. Shure started Shure in Chicago as a small radio parts business². He began alone, selling radio kits and parts by mail². By 1928, the company grew, and a team worked in a bigger headquarters².

Sidney N. Shure’s Beginnings in Amateur Radio

Sidney N. Shure loved audio technology and amateur radio, which helped the company grow early on³. In the 1920s, amateur radio was booming, with 15,000 transmitters in the US³. Shure sold kits and parts to many hobbyists³.

The Shure Radio Company and Its Groundbreaking Catalogs

In 1926, Shure made a new catalog with over 1,000 products from many makers³. This catalog drew in customers, and Shure quickly became a big success³. By 1929, there were 16,000 stores selling radios and music, helping Shure grow even more³.

“Shure’s industry leadership and foundation for the future aim at establishing another 90+ years of success.”

Shure kept innovating and growing, becoming a global leader in audio technology². In 1956, it moved to Evanston, Illinois, and in 2003, to a bigger place in Niles². Today, Shure is worth over $500 million, with 25 offices worldwide².

Shure’s story is about starting small, being bold, and always striving for the best in audio technology. From its early days to now, Shure has led the industry, always meeting customer needs⁴.

The Great Depression and Shure’s Shift to Microphone Distribution

The Great Depression hit in 1929, wiping out the market for home radio kits. Shure had to change its business model. They became a distributor for Ellis Electrical Laboratories⁵.

After two years, Shure started making their own microphones. Their first, the Model 33N, came out in 1932⁵. It was light, making it easier to carry than other mics.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing a New Direction

Shure showed great resilience and adaptability during the Great Depression⁵. Founded in 1925 by Sidney N. Shure in Chicago, they quickly moved to microphone distribution⁵. This move helped them survive and thrive in the audio industry.

By the mid-1920s, radio making had turned from a hobby to mass production. But the Great Depression changed everything. Factory radios and economic hard times reduced demand for home kits³.

Shure, with its strong connections and flexibility, became a distributor for Ellis Electrical Laboratories⁵. This was a turning point for them.

“Shure demonstrated resilience and adaptability, even in the face of the Great Depression. Their strategic shift to microphone distribution set the stage for their future success as a leading innovator in the audio industry.”

This moment marked Shure’s start as a major microphone brand. They used their distribution skills to create the Model 33N in 1932⁵. Its design and quality helped Shure grow and innovate more.

Developing the First Original Shure Microphone: The Model 33N

In 1932, Shure released their first original microphone, the Model 33N⁶. It was light, making it easier to carry than other microphones at the time⁶. Shure kept making new microphones in the 1930s, like the Unidyne Model 55 in 1939. This model changed the industry⁷.

The Model 33N was a big step for Shure. It was made by Shure engineer Ralph Glover. It showed Shure’s move from making radio parts to making audio products⁸. This early shure microphone showed the company’s drive for new ideas and meeting market needs⁸.

Shure kept growing its line of portable microphones. They focused on making high-quality, new products. The Model 33N was a light, easy-to-carry microphone. It showed Shure’s commitment to both pros and hobbyists⁶.

A Transition to Microphone Manufacturing

The Model 33N was a big change for Shure. They moved from making radio parts to making microphones⁸. This move helped Shure become a big name in audio products, including microphones and wireless systems⁶.

“The Model 33N was a critical step in Shure’s journey to becoming an industry leader in audio technology and innovation.”

The shure Model 33N started a new chapter for the company. It led to famous microphones like the Unidyne and the SM58⁷. This early work set the stage for Shure’s lasting success and its place as a trusted brand⁸⁶⁷.

The Unidyne Capsule: A Breakthrough in Microphone Design

Shure’s journey into microphone innovation began in the 1930s. The company hired Ralph Glover and Benjamin Bauer in 1937. They made big strides in microphone design⁹.

Benjamin Bauer’s work led to Shure’s Unidyne capsule technology. He found a way to get a cardioid polar pattern with one element, not two⁹. This Uniphase tech made Shure’s microphones lighter, cheaper, and less noisy⁹.

The Innovative Work of Ralph Glover and Benjamin Bauer

The Unidyne capsule changed microphone design forever¹⁰. Benjamin Bauer, with over 100 patents, was key to this innovation⁹.

The Uniphase Technology and Its Impact

The Uniphase tech has greatly influenced the industry. The Unidyne Model 55 series, with three versions, became famous¹⁰. It also helped design other iconic Shure microphones⁹.

Shure’s work on Unidyne earned it the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Milestone Award in 2014⁹. This award shows Shure’s impact on electrical and electronic innovation over 200 years⁹.

In 2022, Shure released the 5575LE Unidyne microphone to honor the Model 55’s design⁹. This new microphone shows Shure’s commitment to its past and future in microphone technology¹⁰.

Shure Microphones and World War II

When America entered World War II in December 1941, Shure’s microphones were in high demand¹¹¹². The Unidyne cartridge and Model 55 were chosen by the military. They were lightweight and had a clear sound, perfect for communication among Allied forces.

To meet this need, Shure increased production greatly. They hired ten times more employees and worked 24 hours a day¹¹¹³¹².

Meeting Wartime Demand and Adopting Military Specifications

Shure’s microphones were so crucial that employees who wanted to join the military were turned down¹¹. In 1943, Shure received the Army-Navy “E” award for their war efforts¹¹¹³. Their dedication to quality during the war boosted customer loyalty, with the SM58 being known for its reliability¹¹.

After the war, Shure kept using military-grade quality for their products. This led to fewer mistakes during production and more reliable products¹¹¹³¹². Even today, a 70-year-old Shure microphone can still work well and meet its specs¹³.

Shure, with a legacy dating back almost a century, has been a leading microphone manufacturer involved in delivering historical sounds from events such as Pearl Harbor, Woodstock, and outer space¹².

The Unidyne III and the Legendary SM58

In 1959, Shure made a big leap with the Unidyne III capsule in the Model 545 microphone. This end-firing design improved the microphone’s sound quality. It could handle louder sounds and higher pressures than before¹⁴.

The Unidyne III also had a smoother sound in the mid-range. This made it stand out while keeping the core design of the Unidyne I capsule.

Ernie Seeler, a Shure engineer, was key in improving this design in the early 1960s. He worked on different parts to make the legendary SM58 microphone¹⁴.

The SM58 was made for live performances. It has a cardioid pattern to block out background noise. Its sound is warm and clear, perfect for many music types¹⁵.

Many famous artists have used the SM58. It’s known for its quality and durability¹⁵.

“The SM58 has been used by renowned artists such as Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols. It has also been embraced by the hip-hop community with artists like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepper, and the Beastie Boys using it.”¹⁵

The SM58 keeps getting better, staying true to its high standards. Shure’s dedication to innovation and quality is clear. The Unidyne III’s journey led to the SM58, a symbol of excellence in live performances.

Shure: A Global Audio Giant and Leader in Innovation

Shure started as a small radio parts company and grew into a global¹⁶ audio giant. It now has 35 locations worldwide and employs around 3,000 people. Over the last 30 years, Shure has grown from focusing on professional audio to also serving musicians, consumers, and the video conferencing market¹⁶.

Shure stays ahead by constantly exploring new technologies. This includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the internet of things. This ensures the company is always ready for the changing audio industry¹⁶.

With nearly a century of¹⁶ experience, Shure is a major player in audio. It invests in software, security, and networking to improve its audio technology¹⁶. The company offers advanced conferencing audio and DSP improvements through its Microflex Advance (MXA) series and IntelliMix Room software¹⁶.

Shure’s SoundSMART initiative shows its commitment to smart audio solutions. It covers Software, Management, Automation, Reliability, and Technology¹⁶.

Shure’s global reach and innovation leadership put it at the top of industry trends. The company is ready to lead as the audio landscape changes. It uses its vast experience and dedication to provide top-notch audio experiences to all¹⁶.