Born: June 20th, 1954
Major Academic Events: Graduated from Erlangen University in Germany with an Engineering Diploma in Electrical Engineering in 1980 as well as a Math diploma in Mathematics two years later in 1982.
Contributions to Computer Science: Karlheinz was tasked by his university professor to make an audio file format that would be compressed enough to make the idea of listening to full length songs over the internet in a "digital jukebox" system feasible. This seemed like a very tough task, as he would have to compress the songs enough to make the file size 12x smaller, and still keep them sounding good. Despite being told it was impossible by many, Brandenburg did his research and eventually cracked the case, becoming the leading developer of the .mp3 audio file format we all know and love. It's currently the #1 most used audio format in the world, and by a long shot too.
Sources:
McCullough, B. (2015, July 13). On the 20th birthday of the MP3, an interview with the "father" of the MP3, Karlheinz Brandenburg. Internet History Podcast. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from http://www.internethistorypodcast.com/2015/07/on-the-20th-birthday-of-the-mp3-an-interview-with-the-father-of-the-mp3-karlheinz-brandenburg/
Videoportal der FAU (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg). (2022, February 28). Dr. dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. FriedrichAlexanderUniversitt ErlangenNrnberg RSS 20. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from
https://www.fau.de/2009/05/news/outreach/alumni/interviews/dr-dr-karlheinz-brandenburg/
Rose, J., & Ganz, J. (2011, March 23). The MP3: A history of innovation and betrayal. NPR. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/03/23/134622940/the-mp3-a-history-of-innovation-and-betrayal
