Glass Armonica

photo courtesy of thrivalproductions.com

The Glass Armonica was created by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. It is said to be one of his favorite inventions. It is played on the same principle as a wet finger on a wineglass. There are many glass bowls that are individually turned so that they do not need to be filled with water. They are tipped on their sides and are placed inside of each other which are propelled by a foot pedal. Mozart in fact even composed two of his works for the Glass Armonica.