LeVar Burton Reads
A 99% Invisible / LeVar Burton Crossover!
Dec 19, 2023
LeVar Burton, host of the podcast Sound Detectives, joins 99% Invisible for a crossover episode. The podcast covers topics such as decimalization in France, unqualified architects, the rise of ghost kitchens, and the Telharmonium instrument. LeVar Burton also introduces Detective Hunch and Audie from Sound Detectives.
49:23
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Quick takeaways
- The Telharmonium, an enormous archaic instrument, could replicate any sound on Earth but faced challenges such as size and interference.
- Ghost kitchens are delivery-only restaurants that operate through popular delivery apps, blurring the lines between traditional restaurants and virtual brands.
Deep dives
The Telharmonium: The Lost Sound of History
The Telharmonium was an enormous archaic instrument invented by Thaddeus Cahill that could replicate any other sound on Earth. It used electricity to create sine waves and tone wheels to shape the overtones, producing a unique musical experience. Telharmonic Hall was established in 1906 and offered a subscription service, allowing people to listen to the Telharmonium from the comfort of their homes via telephone wires. However, the Telharmonium faced challenges such as large size, limited variety, and interference with telephone lines. It eventually became financially unsustainable and was dismantled. Although the Telharmonium's sound is lost to history, its influence on electronic instruments can still be seen today.
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