The Theremin is one of the earliest and most iconic electronic instruments—remarkable because it’s played without physical contact. It was invented by Léon Theremin (Lev Termen), a Russian physicist and cellist, and patented in 1928. It was developed after experiments with radio oscillators while working in a Soviet research lab.
The instrument has two metal antennas. The vertical rod controls pitch and the horizontal loop controls volume. Performers move their hands near the antennas. The closer to the pitch antenna, the higher the frequency. The closer to the volume loop, the softer the sound. It produces a continuous, sliding tone, often compared to a human voice or violin.
The theremin was used by composers like Edgard Varèse and Percy Grainger. It is famous for its eerie, otherworldly sound in sci-fi films such as The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Bands like the Beach Boys (Good Vibrations, 1966, which actually used an Electro-Theremin variation) and Led Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love live performances) employed its unique timbre.
The theremin pioneered the idea of gesture-controlled instruments, and inspired the development of synthesizers and electronic controllers It is still played today by virtuosos like Clara Rockmore (historically) and modern performers like Carolina Eyck.