Play It Again, Ben!

• Benjamin Franklin invented the glass armonica in 1761. He got the idea from listening to musicians play water glasses filled to different levels to make musical sounds.

• Franklin turned the glasses on their side, put smaller glasses inside bigger ones, and turned them by using a foot pedal.

• When he turned the glasses, he put wet fingers on the edge to make the musical sounds. The larger the glass, the lower the sound.

• Listen carefully as Benjamin Franklin plays the glass armonica.

• People liked to listen to the glass armonica. It was one of Benjamin Franklin’s favorite inventions. Some people still play the glass armonica today!

• William Zeitler is a musician

that still plays the glass

armonica. He travels with

his instrument and performs

for audiences around the

world.

• Click on Mr. Zeitler’s name to watch and listen to him play the glass armonica.

• The glass armonica is a very interesting instrument that Benjamin Franklin invented. He was very proud of it. Click on his signature and play it for yourself!

Benjamin FranklinLondon July 13, 1762