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Léon Theremin also invented the musical instrument bearing his name: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin It's bes

by pcl 10y ago

Léon Theremin also invented the musical instrument bearing his name: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin It's best known for its otherworldly sounds. But the control mechanism is relevant here: two antennas are positioned to create a 2D field, and the motion of the musician's hands within that field controls tone and amplitude. Clearly, the guy was a talented radio researcher. He invented it in 1920 in Russia, emigrated to the US in the late 20s, and ended up back in Russia in the late 30s. Sounds like a fascinating guy. Does anyone have any recommendations for biographies of him?

Theodores 10y ago
So it is just a Theremin machine in disguise! Thanks to your explanation I now imagine the 'Thing' to be a bit like Theremin player Dorit Chrysler in this live performance by Trentemøller: Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!: https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler
- tim333 10y ago
  See also Theremin playing a Theremin. Seems he was quite musical as well as a techie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o
idlewords 10y ago
I gave a talk on Theremin and his many inventions a couple of years ago! http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm I highly recommend the documentary called "Theremin: An Electronic Oddyssey" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ And "Ether, Music & Espionage" is an engaging biography: https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-American/dp/0252072758 https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-Americ... My favorite factoid about him is that late in life, Theremin became convinced that the secret to immortality lay in "young blood". Certain billionaires seem to be testing his theory today.
bonzini 10y ago
A theremin also makes a great controller for "air guitar hero": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k
- bigiain 10y ago
  And a cat toy, apparently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU (There's gotta be a good tinfoil hat blog post about cats, theremins, laser pointers, and toxoplasmosis(1) - if someone hasn't already written it...) (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_culture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_cult...

by pcl 10y ago

Theodores 10y ago

So it is just a Theremin machine in disguise! Thanks to your explanation I now imagine the 'Thing' to be a bit like Theremin player Dorit Chrysler in this live performance by Trentemøller: Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!: https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler

tim333 10y ago
See also Theremin playing a Theremin. Seems he was quite musical as well as a techie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o

idlewords 10y ago

I gave a talk on Theremin and his many inventions a couple of years ago! http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm I highly recommend the documentary called "Theremin: An Electronic Oddyssey" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ And "Ether, Music & Espionage" is an engaging biography: https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-American/dp/0252072758 https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-Americ... My favorite factoid about him is that late in life, Theremin became convinced that the secret to immortality lay in "young blood". Certain billionaires seem to be testing his theory today.

bonzini 10y ago

A theremin also makes a great controller for "air guitar hero": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k

bigiain 10y ago
And a cat toy, apparently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU (There's gotta be a good tinfoil hat blog post about cats, theremins, laser pointers, and toxoplasmosis(1) - if someone hasn't already written it...) (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_culture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_cult...