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Emicon

Date: 1932 ca.
Place Made:Deep River, Connecticut, United States, North America
Model: traveling model
Serial No: none
SignedPrinted on round label attached above keyboard, red and white with black lettering, including some special characters: emicon / [lines] [eighth note]

Printed on rectangular label attached to backside of cover above keyboard, white with black lettering: EMICON / Licensed Halmagyi-Langer / U. S. Patent 1,832,402 Nov. 17, 1931 / Other Patents Pending / EMICON, INC. Deep River, Conn.
DescriptionAn electric, monophonic, keyboard instrument.
Keyboard compass of 32 notes from C to a.
4 control knobs, a switch, and a dial on front
External , detached speaker
Outer case cover folds back to expose a built-in metal music rack
Instrument designed to remain inside traveling case into which it is built.
See additional information in this file.
The emicon was capable of producing a variety of timbre reminiscent of the violin, cello,
saxophone, oboe, English horn, and trumpet, for example.
DimensionsCase containing emicon: 18.75” x 23.75” x 5.5”
Amplifier case: 16.5” x 9.25” x 9.75”
ProvenanceUsed by Charles D. Stein of Lyon & Healy, Chicago, in demonstrations and lecture- recitals throughout the state of Indiana, southern Michigan, southeastern Wisconsin, and the greater Chicago area, 1930-1934. Played by Stein for 4 months at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago, May 16-September 29, 1934 and at Texas Contennial Exposition, Dallas, June 6-20, 1936.
Credit Line: Gift of Howard F. and Nance Cunningham Stein, 1996
Not on view
Published ReferencesMargaret Banks, “Please Don't Touch the Theremin! Stein Collection of Electronic Instruments Donated to Museum,” The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter 23, No. 3 (April 1996), pp. 1-3.
Object number: 05938