RCA Theremin, USA, 1929

RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929 RCA Theremin, USA, 1929

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Theremin, RCA, 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.

Details

Category:
Acoustics
Object Number:
2017-104
Materials:
mahogany (wood), steel (metal), aluminium alloy, copper (alloy), bakelite, cardboard, paper (fibre product) and glass
Measurements:
overall (estimated): 1000 mm x 600 mm x 400 mm,
type:
theremin

Parts

RCA Theremin, USA, 1929

Theremin, RCA, USA, 1929.

More

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.

Materials:
mahogany (wood) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2017-104/1
type:
theremin
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of valves for RCA Theremin

Set of valves for RCA Theremin

Set of sixteen valves, each in a cardboard carton, for RCA Theremin, electronic musical instrument.

More

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.

Materials:
cardboard , glass and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2017-104/2
type:
valves
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum