His patents related to reproducible seismograms would lead to the ability to better locate petroleum, and gain widespread use and recognition by improving the fidelity of seismographs in accurately depicting underground rock strata and oil structures, particularly in areas with complex geological formations.

It was during his war work with sonic submarine detection and depth sounding that he became interested in the application of related techniques to the location of oil structures.

Out of this period came a number of determinations of velocity still listed as standards in the literature, and maps of many of the shallow trends in California which have since been confirmed by drilling and subsequent reflection seismograph exploration.

During such periods, he employed his talents in some other phase of electronics with a weather-eye on ideas he could bring back to geophysics when the exploration pendulum swung high again.

One such hiatus in his geophysical activities occurred between 1929 and 1932 during which time, together with some associates, Rieber developed a method of recording sound on film which was not covered by the RCA and Western Electric patents.

He set about finding the cause of, and cure for these interferences, turning his back on the lucrative commercial field to be exploited by others using conventional equipment in areas where reflections could be more easily obtained.

[1][2] Rieber made an impact on the exploration industry during these years, but his new tool was not needed desperately enough for wide acceptance of his reproducible record method.

Only the vast file of past seismograms remains as a valuable factor in present-day exploration as a reminder of the campaign Rieber continued to the end of his days.

These included a method to measure the muzzle velocity of shells, a magnetic means for detecting submarines, and sound ranging systems for locating enemy guns.

He had also developed a method to help boat captains know their distance from shore using sound wave technology instrumentation that utilized echo location.