The Glass Harmonica: Innovation and Controversy

This chapter examines Benjamin Franklin's invention of the glass harmonica, inspired by the musical sounds of wine glasses. It explores the instrument's cultural significance, its connections to music and health remedies, including its use by Franz Mesmer, and the ensuing controversies it faced in 18th-century Europe. The narrative details the instrument's rise, decline, and eventual revival, highlighting its unique place in the realms of art and science.