Acoustics

The tuning fork is a example of an object that is both a scientific instrument and a musical instrument. This article offers a brief overview of its history.

The German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni has been dubbed the father of acoustics in recognition of his work. He is most famous for his 'Chladni plates'.

Forks like these were designed by the French scientist Jules Lissajous in an attempt to set an international standard for concert pitch.

Hermann Von Helmholtz made an enormous contribution to acoustics. He is best remembered today for his resonators and his synthesizer.

Koenig devoted his life to designing and building acoustical instruments. The Whipple's collection contains a number of his beautifully crafted instruments.

The monochord is an ancient scientific and musical instrument, purportedly invented by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras.

Sound travels as a wave and as such can be reflected and focused. These 19th-century parabolic mirrors were used to demonstrate the wave nature of sound.

The siren, invented by Charles Cagniard de la Tour, was the first precision source of musical sound. Read about its invention and use here.

This 'vowel sounder' was built to artificially reproduce the sound of the vowels of human speech.

Physicist Charles Wheatstone was passionate about acoustics. He invented many musical instruments, like this symphonium, a precursor to the English concertina.