David Purta is a Sr. Engineer/Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Aka “MacGyver", he is known for crafting efficient and safe solutions for both difficult and "brushfire" technical challenges. Early in his career, David worked as a pinball mechanic during his high school summer breaks of the 70s. He also built a hand-wired, digital computer using hundreds of individual transistors for a Science Fair Project. David graduated from Phillips Academy Andover in 1975.
In college, David was formally trained at CMU as an electrical engineer, and he is an inventor of numerous patents. He has extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams. David has accomplished commercial/industrial research and development, specializing in prototyping, at CMU for 35 years, and at the Entertainment Technology Center since 2009. He is one of the pivotal engineers for the ETC Space Bridge and for various student learning platforms such as the ETC's Cave, specifically designing its current pneumatic motion floor. Other examples of his platform fabrication and tech work include the ETC's recent stereoscopic (3-D) Cavern and the 4-Point-of-View (4-POV) and 3-D Jam-O-Drum. David has also guided student projects via teaching unique hardware setups, for example, the production of 3-D laser "Polaroid” holograms and how to better utilize and maintain the ETC's VOXON holographic projection display system.
David provides electronics training upon request, including workshops in advanced soldering/desoldering, circuit design and assembly techniques. He also manages ETC lighting and DMX control hardware and resources.
David is a serious computer and audio nerd and has been working with high fidelity audio and surround sound since the early 1970s. David constructed the ETC 3-D Cavern's 4.1 surround sound system and has also constructed several spatial audio ambisonic systems. Along with Bryan Maher, David designed, constructed and supervises ETC's 4-station, 3-Room Sound Studio which features two isolated sound booths for recording. David provides sound composition training and workshops upon request.
David trains and supervises the students’ use of the ETC Woodshop regarding EH&S safety training, use of power tools, fabrication techniques and hardware.
