Glassophone

/ɡlæˈsɒfəʊn/ noun

Definition

A musical instrument made of glass tubes or vessels that produces sound when struck or when water is added to them.

Etymology

From 'glass' + 'phone' (from Greek 'phōnē' meaning sound or voice). This is a rare or archaic musical instrument, though the more famous 'glass harmonica' is related.

Kelly Says

Benjamin Franklin invented the glass harmonica in 1761 by adapting the water-glass musical principle—rotating nested glass bowls of water—and it became so popular that some doctors worried it caused 'glass harmonica neurosis,' a supposed nervous condition from hearing it.

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