Stuff You Should Know Laurens Hammond: The Non-Musical Genius Who Changed Popular Music
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Aug 31, 2023 Discover the fascinating life of Laurens Hammond, the inventor behind the iconic Hammond organ. His groundbreaking innovations transformed music, particularly rock and roll, despite lacking formal musical training. Learn about the unique design features of the organ and its revolutionary impact on sound technology. The podcast also touches on the clever marketing tactics used to promote the organ, including a dramatic blind listening test that changed the music industry forever. Explore how Hammond's legacy continues to resonate in music today.
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Accidental Genius
- Larry Hammond's brilliance was evident early on, even during his college years at Cornell.
- The night before an exam, after a night of drinking, he wandered into the wrong electrical engineering class and aced the exam.
Clock to Invention Factory
- Larry Hammond's success with the tickless clock provided him with the financial means to pursue his true passion.
- This allowed him to establish his own invention factory in New York, focusing on independent inventions.
Pioneering 3D
- Hammond's Teleview system, using shutters and two projectors, was a pioneering invention in 3D film technology.
- However, its realism was too distracting for audiences, hindering its commercial success.