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The theremin

"The theremin was originally the product of Russian government-sponsored research into proximity sensors. The instrument was invented by a young Russian physicist named Lev Sergeivich Termen (known in the West as Léon Theremin) in 1919 after the outbreak of the Russian civil war. After positive reviews at Moscow electronics conferences, Theremin demonstrated the device to Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin. Lenin was so impressed with the device that he began taking lessons in playing it, commissioned six hundred of the instruments for distribution throughout the Soviet Union, and sent Theremin on a trip around the world to demonstrate the latest Soviet technology and the invention of electronic music. After a lengthy tour of Europe, during which time he demonstrated his invention to packed houses, Theremin found his way to the United States, where he patented his invention in 1928. Subsequently, Theremin granted commercial production rights to RCA."
Wikipedia.


1920's: Clara Rockmore; the first performer to bring complete musical artistry to the theremin. She also hung out with 'Léon Theremin' when he was inventing the instrument.



1940's - 1960's : Theremins are used in the soundtracks for sci-fi films to create an eerie atmosphere of unease

'The Thing from Another World' 1951


1966: Paul Tanner's 'box', later called the electro-theremin was used in the recording of Beach Boys' "pocket symphony" Good Vibrations, a song which - along with pet sounds - changed pop.



2008: Drawing, with audio = Drawdio! Using similar invisible sound as the theremin;