Glass armonica

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Glass armonica

The glass armonica is a type of musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction.

History

Benjamin Franklin invented the glass armonica in 1761, after seeing a performance in London of someone play water-filled wine glasses. The armonica debuted in London the following year, and later became popular in Germany with Wolfgang Mozart writing two pieces for it. Its success was short-lived however, as there was no way to amplify it to be heard in large concert halls.

Franklin's designs and blueprints for his armonica were lost with the rest of his Almanac pages. They were eventually gathered by the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton who recreated the armonica at his homestead.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III