Klipschorn Prototype 3 Donation

This Klipschorn was built in the garage by Lt. Col. Paul Klipsch and Lt. James Hannah Ward in the mid-1940s. James was a native of Hope, AR and graduated from Hope High School in May 1941. According to the Hope Star, Jamess classmates described him as a virtual young Tom Edison.

Both James and Paul were members of First Presbyterian Church in Hope.James started his college years at Hendrix College in Conway, AR and was a charter member of the DX Club (a campus radio station). While continuing his education, he served in the Naval Reserve of the United States and was discharged in January 1946. In May 1947 James graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now known as Louisiana Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Jamess career spanned 40+ years at Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) where he retired as Tex-Ark Division Superintendent of Engineering.

James built the corner cabinet for the Klipschorn and it became the heart of the familys living room. James and Helens daughters could often be found lip-syncing in front of it or the sounds of John Philip Sousa marches, Christmas carols or tv shows coming from it. After Jamess death in June 1992, Helen moved the speaker with her to Highland Village, TX, where it remained until being donated to the Klipsch Museum.

Curator note: This speaker contains a K-5 high frequency horn (serial number 7) from the first batch produced in the “Tin Shed”. Most were sold to DIY enthusiasts. The initial resin formula needed improvement, as most were returned for warping and/or brittleness. This was prior to the first production run of Klipschorns produced in 1947 utilizing woofer cabinets built by Baldwin Piano & Organ in Cincinnati, Ohio. This Klipschorn is likely to be the 3 rd one built, following the original prototype and a sanctioned copy made by William Herndon during WWII at the Proving Ground.

Donated in April, 2025 in appreciation for Paul Klipsch generously sharing his skills and knowledge and encouraging and supporting a young man to pursue his interests. Given in loving memory of James Hannah Ward by his daughters... Carole Ward (posthumous), Kathy Ward and Lucy Ward Wineman