History of Poll Sound
Harry's First Job
Harry Poll builds his first commercial sound system and uses it to amplify a radio broadcast of the 1924 World Series games to a large crowd in downtown Salt Lake City. His company was born, which he names “Poll Audio Broadcasting”
Expanding the System
Harry continues to build his system and advertise it for hire. He begins building and installing sound systems for others.
Sound Trucks
Harry begins using trucks to help elevate the loudspeakers. This practice becomes highly refined in subsequent years.
World War II
Events and installations slowed. Harry took a job as a radio station engineer and ran his company part time on the side.
Utah Pioneer Centennial
Systems and equipment inventory continue to build. Harry changes the name of his company to “Poll Sound Service” and is hired to provide sound for the Utah Pioneer Centennial trek from Winter Quarters, Nebraska to Salt Lake City, Utah.
First Storefront
Harry takes on a partner who is a specialist in television repair. The company name is changed to “Poll & Austin Sound Service.” Consumer audio and TV are sold out of our first storefront and 1099 South State Street in Salt Lake City.
Custom Sound by Poll
The Poll & Austin partnership ends and the company focuses strictly on sound systems. Installation and rental have grown substantially. The company name is again changed to “Custom Sound by Poll” and the company relocates to the corner of 17th South and 11th East in Salt Lake.
HiFi and Organs
The company continues to grow, providing sound and intercom installations, repairs of commercial and consumer electronics, retail sales of HiFi, and of course, rental and sound services. A dealership for Conn Organs and Pianos was secured. The showroom included HiFi, organs, and pianos.
On the Move Again
The company relocates to a dual location, 3068 and 3096 South Highland Drive. 3068 was commercial sound and Rental, 3096 was HiFi, pianos, and organs. The company name was again changed to “Poll’s Sound and Music.”
Rock 'n' Roll
The company continues to grow, with installations and rental jobs over the entire intermountain region. The Rock 'n' Roll era was well underway and the company invests heavily in equipment to handle the need. The company begins building custom loudspeakers for installations.
Change of Leadership
After 50 years of successful operation, the Poll Family sells the business to the Timothy family. Deward Timothy has been a long time employee and takes over management of the company. The organ and piano division was discontinued, the 3096 location was dropped. The name is changed slightly to “Poll Sound and Music.”
Growth
The company continued to grow, more installations, more rentals and rental equipment.
New building and Wood Shop
The company outgrows it's Highland Drive facility and moves to a larger building at 3473 South West Temple in Salt Lake. Sales of HiFi are discontinued, giving a greater focus on commercial sound. Repairs of consumer sound goods as well as commercial sound systems continued. A dedicated wood shop was added for building of loudspeaker cabinets.
Birth of an Icon
The first PSS-4 is built for our concert production system. By 1985, with dozens built, this loudspeaker begins to dominate our concert sound system.
Shorter, Simpler Name
With the discontinued repair of consumer equipment, the company name is shortened to “Poll Sound.”
Audio meets visual
While previously focusing on strictly audio, our first modern audiovisual system is installed in the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird resort. Having outgrown the West Temple location, the company moves to 4026 South Main Street in Salt Lake.
Fly Baby Fly
Concert sound start to tread toward hang loudspeakers rather than stacking them on the stage. All PSS-4 cabinets are retrofitted with flying hardware.