# Glass rim instrument **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 24, 2000, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585 "2000-11-24T22:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JamesCarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@JamesCarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesCarroll)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/1 "2000-11-24T22:26:23Z")
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. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/2 "2000-11-24T22:35:12Z")
The instrument is called a [glass harmonica](http://www.finkenbeiner.com/soundsample.html). ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/3 "2000-11-24T22:35:33Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/4 "2000-11-24T22:40:17Z")
I don’t know anything about the automated thing you’re talking about, but I thought I’d add one fact. The instrument made with partially filled glasses is called a **glass harp.** ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/5 "2000-11-24T23:08:11Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![\_hijack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c0e974/32.png) [@\_hijack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_hijack)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/6 "2000-11-24T23:14:51Z")
The lead in glassware is not dangerous. You can check it yourself on your favorite leaded vase with cheap test kits from True Value Hardware. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2000, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/7 "2000-11-24T23:36:53Z")
At least they don’t call it a rimming machine. ---
**Author:** ![JamesCarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@JamesCarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesCarroll)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/8 "2000-11-25T00:23:35Z")
**Handy:** LOL!! Too funny! 😃 Thanks everyone… ---
**Author:** ![Shiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-rim-instrument/42585/9 "2000-11-25T02:08:07Z")
I’ve always heard it called the Armonica. [http://www.glassarmonica.com/](http://www.glassarmonica.com/)