Norman C. Pickering

Norman C. Pickering (July 9, 1916 – November 18, 2015) was an American engineer, musical instrument designer, inventor and co-founder of the Audio Engineering Society. His most famous inventions are the modern Pickering magnetic cartridge, a high-fidelity, jewel-tipped phonographic cartridge, and the Pickering pickup. After leaving the audio technology company he founded, Pickering & Company, he developed ultrasound diagnostic techniques, studied violin acoustics, and constructed 37 violins. Later, in the 1980s, he returned to the violin by making instruments, doing consulting work for d'Addario, and as president of The Violin Society of America.

He died at his East Hampton, New York residence, of cancer, on November 18, 2015 at the age of 99.

Personal life Pickering was married three times. His last marriage was in 1979 to Barbara Goldowsky. He had one daughter, three sons, and two step-sons.