Archives - 1969

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Main Street (Trumansburg) U.S.A.

March 13, 1969

Robert Moog has arrived
by HILDA MURPHY

TRUMANSBURG - About three years ago a big push was made here, to entice tourism and the business world to settle in our little burg. Committees were formed, meetings held, and color brochures were printed.
In the meantime a simple, mysterious man had sought out this same little burg in which to settle, because it was his kind of place. The welcome mat was not out, our concern and help was not offered. Even moral support wasn't evident.
His name was Robert Moog, and while he went about his quiet way, fooling around with a few wires, we looked over his head, and speculated whether he was sewing shoes or making books in his little shop on Main St. We ignored what was in our own back yard, and today very few can say
"I knew Bob Moog when .."

Bob and Shirley Moog came to Trumansburg, after living first for a while on the Slaterville Rd., and then in Perry City when Bob was finishing his doctorate degree in engineering physics at Cornell. He had expected to go into industrial physics, but when the time came, they found they couldn't bear to leave this vicinity. Bob has already been working on theremins, and for years was inventing a new instrument in his mind. Shirley felt he should be doing what he wanted to do, so encouraged him to the decision of opening up his own studio and go into business for himself, in order to put his ideas into production.

The Moog's early industrial endeavor was a struggle. They lived on $35 a month and put every other cent into the business. As Bob labored on he first became known in his unique field through universities. Soon composers started streaming to his home and Bob began electronic music seminars. One held last year lasted three weeks. Fifteen composers and their families used the services of the village while they were here.
Bob Moog is now recognized as the pioneer of the electronic music instrument. His "Moog" synthesizer is used by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and composer Walter Carlos used the instrument to produce an album called "Switched on Bach" that has sold nearly l0,OOO copies in four months.

Articles in Time magazine, Saturday Review, Newsweek and two quarter pages in the New York Times, plus an appearance on the "Today" TV show have spread his fame in electronic music throughout the world. Today the workshop on Main St. is bursting at the seams, and finding it difficult to produce the orders that are piling up. Bob's staff that once included himself and Shirley, now has a personnel of 33 people. General Manager is Ray Henning, two composers John Eaton and John Weiss, play an important role in the Moog image.

Shirley Moog, is more than the woman behind the man. She is beside the man, and can seriously understand her husband's work. Her life revolves around entertaining their many visitors from the new music world, making them comfortable and feeling at home. She also finds time to raise three children and has worked actively in the coop nursery school, library and community council.
Plans for the future include one-week lectures on electronic composition and performance to be held every other month. Sizeable groups are anticipated. Bob will go on with his development of the "Moog". Someday we may have one in our living rooms to enjoy like a piano.

This professional business is one that isn't easily understood. But understanding as such, has little meaning when the results are so pleasant.
Everyone loves a winner, and now that Bob Moog has arrived, we can swallow our crow in great lumps and realize that this mysterious man has offered our village a great opportunity in its advancement.