Benjamin Franklin's Armonica

In 1761, Benjamin Franklin (American author, scientist, diplomat and inventor) unveiled a new musical instrument the like of which few Americans had ever seen. The genesis of Franklin's invention took place several years earlier, during one of his visits to England.

After seeing a performer play water-filled wine glasses with moistened fingers, Franklin rethought the instrument and invented a new version, consisting of 37 bowls mounted on an iron axis. Franklin dubbed the machine 'armonica.'