Babbage: What’s the frequency Kenneth?

Kenneth Cukier celebrates the invention of a musical instrument that turns 100 in 2020—the Theremin. A staple of sci-fi sound-effects, the instrument is enjoying a revival in the digital age. We talk to players, historians, a former student and relative of its inventor to learn about the influence of the Theremin on modern culture. Was the instrument a technological achievement that came a century too soon?Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:www.economist.com/radiooffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.