Inventor of surround sound Ray Dolby dies, aged 80

American audio engineer and noise reduction pioneer, Ray Dolby has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

Founder of Dolby Laboratories, the man – also noted as the co-inventor of the tape recorder – died on Thursday at his home in San Francisco. He had contracted acute leukemia earlier this year, having suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in recent times.

Dolby will be most remembered for his surround sound technology of the same name, Dolby Stereo. During his lifetime, he was awarded Emmys, two Oscars and a Grammy.

He leaves behind a wife, two kids and four grandchildren. Our thoughts are with Dolby’s family at this time.

[via SFGate]