Steve Terry- Development of DMX

                                              

Steve Terry is a well known theater electrician with several accomplishment to his name. Terry first began his career in the theater industry as a touring electrician with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, who he toured with for five years. During his time with the touring production, he gained a lot of understanding and knowledge of the touring equipment, setting up a base for himself to help in the innovation of several new touring technologies later in life.

                                

Terry later held a position on Broadway as a production electrician with the show Chorus Line. This is where he would make the first of many contributions to the lighting world. While working on Chorus Line, Steve Terry was responsible for the use and care of the first computerized lighting control memory system. The board being used was called an LS-8. It featured 100 channels that were hooked up to 100 dimmers. There were only 3 of these consoles created, and the word cost about $100k in 1975.

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While working on productions, he also spent time working with equipment rental companies, as well as manufacturers. The same year as his work with Chorus Line, Terry became the Vice President and Chief Engineer for Production Arts Lighting, which was later acquired by PRG in 1998. Terry was also a long time consultant for ETC. In 2001, he joined onto ETC's ranks, becoming the Vice President of Professional Services. In 2004, he was then promoted to Vice President of Research and Development. In 2017, he was again promoted to Director of Standards and Industry Relations, which is the title he still holds today.

Despite his work with these companies, one of his greatest achievements was accomplished with USITT. In 1986, he chaired the USITT Engineering Commission Committee. The group was tasked with finding a solution to breakout cables not being able to send code. The committee went on to write the standard for the DMX512, which is now a globally recognized system. This is one of Steve Terry's most important achievements, as Intelligent fixtures would not be where they are today without the use of DMX512. His work with the committee later led him to be inducted into USITT as a Fellow in 2006.

Bibliography:

http://sightlines.usitt.org/archive/v46/n05/stories/TerryaFellow.html

https://www.etcconnect.com/About/About-ETC/Our-Management/Steve-Terry.aspx

https://www.theatrecrafts.com/bhc/equipment/edi-ls-8