Shure, the legendary audio equipment manufacturer, has officially turned 100 – and to mark the milestone, the company threw a celebratory shindig at its London HQ.
The first international HQ outside of the US, the London branch showed it knew how to represent by bringing together a wide range of audio professionals, industry figures, and partners—all eager to celebrate a century of sound innovation.
The evening featured an array of Shure’s most iconic gear on display, from classic microphones to cutting-edge conferencing solutions.
Yet the highlight of the event came during a talk from Shure’s resident historian, Michael Pettersen, who walked attendees through the company’s incredible journey. From humble beginnings to becoming a staple across stages, studios, and boardrooms worldwide, Pettersen’s speech was a reminder of how Shure has become ingrained in global audio culture.
“All throughout history, you’ll see a Shure microphone somewhere,” he remarked, reinforcing the company’s legacy as a silent witness to some of the most defining moments in modern history.
Pettersen’s presentation wasn’t merely a nostalgic look back, but a detailed timeline of how Shure evolved from a microphone manufacturer to both a musical necessity and a boardroom asset.
A Century of Sound: Shure’s Historic Legacy
Shure was founded in 1925 by Sidney N. Shure in Chicago, Illinois. Originally a supplier of radio parts, the company quickly pivoted to designing and manufacturing microphones—a move that would forever shape the audio industry.
The company’s breakthrough came in 1933, when a Shure microphone was used by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This marked the beginning of Shure’s association with political, musical, and cultural milestones.
In 1939, Shure revolutionized microphone design with the creation of the Model 55 Unidyne, the world’s first single-element dynamic cardioid microphone. Its iconic design would go on to be associated with countless musical legends—think Elvis Presley crooning into its unmistakable grille.
During the 1940s, Shure supplied the U.S. military with microphones and headphones. Although the war ended, what remained was Shure’s determination to make its equipment according to military specifications going forward. Pettersen recounted stories of crushed products—sometimes flattened by cargo trucks—being returned to Shure, only to pass functionality tests with flying colors. It seems that legacy lives on.
By 1969, Shure had become the gold standard for live sound. Every microphone used at the legendary Woodstock music festival was a Shure Unidyne III Model 565. Two decades later, in 1989, U.S. President Ronald Reagan famously delivered his “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” speech in Berlin through a Shure microphone. The brand had become a trusted presence in moments of global consequence.
While these moments reinforce Shure’s reputation in entertainment, Pettersen emphasized that the company’s story doesn’t end there, highlighting their 2016 release of the Microflex Advance Ceiling Array. Aimed at bringing quality audio to meeting rooms, this self-aiming device represents a company that has become as indispensable to UC setups as it is in a recording studio.
From Studios to Meeting Rooms: Shure’s Evolution into UC
The ceiling tile was the first step in what would become a bold journey to bring everything from boardrooms to huddle spaces into the new era of collaboration facilitated by audio.
In 2017, Microsoft Teams was released, and in 2020, UC solutions like this skyrocketed due to the need for hybrid and remote working brought about by the pandemic.
Recognizing that this new reality could disrupt collaboration, Shure released one of its seminal products: the IntelliMix.
The IntelliMix Room solution is intelligent audio processing software that can transform virtually any space into a Microsoft Teams-ready meeting room in just six minutes.
“The IntelliMix gives you the foundation system that allows you to plug everything in and just go. This will do all the integration,” explained Adam Bootle, UC Sales & Partner Business Manager at Shure. “If you have this in every room, then everybody gets that same experience.”
This solution has not only proven vital in keeping engagement alive between those calling in from the office and those in the boardroom, but has only become more important with the rise of AI. Having consistently high-quality audio ensures that wherever your meeting room is, you can still give your AI the best input—ensuring it delivers the best output.
To complement the IntelliMix, Shure also offers ShureCloud, a centralized platform for managing and monitoring its audio systems across multiple rooms and locations. This allows IT teams to deploy updates, resolve issues, and control configurations remotely—ensuring enterprise-grade reliability and flexibility in even the most complex environments.
With these tools, Shure is bridging its century-long legacy in pro audio with the demands of today’s hybrid workspaces. Its products are now just as likely to be found in Fortune 500 huddle rooms as they are in world-class recording studios.
A Legacy Amplified: Looking Ahead to Shure’s Next Century
Shure’s 100th anniversary celebration wasn’t just a tribute to the past—it was a statement of intent for the future. The company that once made its name in radio parts and rock ‘n’ roll is now leading the charge in intelligent audio for the modern workplace.
From amplifying presidential addresses and capturing historic concerts to shaping the sound of today’s meetings, Shure’s impact is undeniable.
If the past 100 years are anything to go by, Shure’s next century promises to be just as dynamic. Whether on stage, at the podium, or in a conference call, one thing is certain: Shure will be there, amplifying the moments that matter.
