David Blackstock and nonlinear acoustics at UT Austin

Except for a period of 15 years, from when he left Austin (with B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics) for active duty in the USAF until he returned for a ‘‘year’s visit’’ to UT in 1969, Austin has been home to David Blackstock. In the interim he developed hearing protectors for the Air Force, earned a Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard, conducted research in nonlinear acoustics for industry, and joined the Electrical Engineering faculty at University of Rochester. Following his return, Austin rapidly became known as a home for nonlinear acoustics. This presentation will review the development of nonlinear acoustics at UT, placed in context of the underwater acoustics activities at ARL and the academic programs under David both at ARL and on campus.