Victor Mahillon’s Contributions to Acoustics

Arnold Myers (Speaker),

The publication of ‘Éléments d ‘Acoustique Musicale et Instrumentale’ by Victor-Charles Mahillon (1841-1924) in 1874 was an ambitious project for the 33-year-old scion of a prominent musical instrument making family, and demonstrated his keen interest in exploring the intellectual environment of the musical instrument trade. His interest in the science of musical instruments was shared with his contemporary, David James Blaikley (1846-1936), the factory manager for Boosey & Company of London. This paper discusses the contribution of Victor Mahillon to acoustical knowledge, and compares his practical work with that of Blaikley. Mahillon’s influences on the scientific community, in particular on Henri Bouasse (1866-1953) and his pioneering work on brasswind, are explored.