You know how you can fill glasses with differing amounts of liquid, then make music by rubbing a moist finger 'round the edge? Well, I saw a story on the History channel about an instrument that basically automated it. It had a stack of glasses (with out the stems) of different sizes nested in one another, turned on its side, the rotated by a motor. The musician would then moisten his finger and hold it on a rim to create the tone. It was invented a ways back (IIRC it was Ben Franklin but don’t quote me) and apparently the tones were deemed hypnotic and the machine was banned.
Anyone see that article or know the name of the device.
It is a ‘glass harmonica’.
There was (is) one on display at one time at the Corning (NY) Glass Works. I have a recording of glass harmonica music - it is quite eerie but beautiful. IIRC, there was a high insanity or suicide rate among the players (likely from the high-pitched whiny sound produced).
Franklin called it an “armonium.” I saw the same show, it was a segment of “History’s Lost and Found.” (Unfortunately, the only info about it available on the History Channel website is where to buy the video.)
IIRC, there was some thought that the lead used in the making of the glass was responsible for the high rate of insanity/suicide among players.
