Electronic Instruments Used Before 1940

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Another electronic instrument that was invented before 1940 was the Novachord. It was known to be the first commercially manufactured synthesizer, created by the Hammond Organ Company and designed by John M. Hanert, C. N. Williams, and Laurens Hammond. It was invented in 1938, and the first time it was showcased was at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It was a polyphonic instrument meaning that it was able to play multiple notes simultaneously and included a total of 72 notes. The instrument was quite heavy, weighing in at 500 pounds, which was due to the amount of vacuum tubes it had, 163 to be exact. The sound it created was very dissimilar to the sound of an organ. Its purpose was the produce more “otherworldly” compositions, with