RCA Theremin, USA, 1929

Originally created in Moscow, Russia by Leon Theremin in 1928, the Theremin was the first electronic instrument and the only one that could be played without contact. The sound of the Theremin comes from two metallic antennas located on opposite sides of the Theremin's wooden body. The sound of the Theremin comes from the electromagnetic field generated within the circuits of the instrument. The vertical antenna controls the pitch, while the horizontal one controls the amplitude. The RCA Theremin was the first factory-made electronic instrument. Numbered 67 out of only 500 it was produced by American-based company RCA in 1929, this Theremin has a pitch range of 3.5 to 4 octaves. Inside the Theremin cabinet, the valves or vacuum tubes were located. The valves contained electrodes that controlled the flow of electrons which amplified the current.

The Theremin was originally created in Moscow, Russia by Leon Theremin in 1928. It was the first electronic instrument and the only one that could be played without contact. The sound of the Theremin comes from two metallic antennas located on opposite sides of the Theremin's wooden body. The sound of the Theremin comes from the electromagnetic field generated within the circuits of the instrument. The vertical antenna controls the pitch, while the horizontal one controls the amplitude. The RCA Theremin was the first factory-made electronic instrument. Numbered 67 out of only 500 it was produced by American-based company RCA in 1929, this Theremin has a pitch range of 3.5 to 4 octaves. Inside the Theremin cabinet, the valves or vacuum tubes were located. The valves contained electrodes that controlled the flow of electrons which amplified the current.