Reflections on the origins of the National Center for Physical Acoustics

The National Center for Physical Acoustics arose from a group of faculty within the Physics Department at the University of Mississippi that had a strong interest in the general area of physical acoustics. With Hank Bass’s leadership, and support of the University of Mississippi’s central administration, this group constantly sought to expand their interest and their expertise in this area. Financial support from ONR permitted the expansion of their research space and the establishment of the Institute for Technology Development in the State of Mississippi led to eventual support from Congress. In October of 1986, by an act of the Congress of the United States of America, the National Center for Physical Acoustics was established. This presentation will provide some of the history concerning this event.