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Wonder if anyone remembers the theremin - this was invented by a Soviet scientist Leon Theremin in 1918, it had no strings, no pipes or keys.

Absolutely! If you want to build your own, check out the PAiA Theremax or Bob Moog's own Big Briar Etherwave. I've built several of both, and recommend the Big Briar as being a better quality instrument as well as more professional kit. The PAiA has a real geek factor to it though, probably good for Slackware fans ;)

If you're interested in a cheap but fun project, search the net (or lots of the good circuit bending links in this story comments thread) for a "light theremin". Instead of using heterodyne principles, it gets a similar sound/action by modulating a simple oscilator using infrared light sensors that you can still play with your hands.

If you're really interested...there's a huge Synth DIY community on the net, from people that build giant modulars from scratch, to simple kits from the above mentioned PAiA all the way to the completely badassed and never-ending MOTM (MOTher of all Modulars, Module Of The Month).

Off-topic but for general sci-fi IMO a better organ would be a Yamaha cs-80, a 200+ pound analog synth used as the main axe in Blade Runner and Doctor Who. Another personal favorite would be a Synthi 100 (scroll down) used in the HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Doctor Who. For simple devices, just get a theremin. Of all of them my next purchase will be an EMS Synthi A - weird sounds emanating from a briefcase, what could be better?

Hmm, time for some slightly OT karma whoring...

The bug that was found in that seal was invented by none other than Leon Theremin, inventor of the instrument of the same name.

There's an excellent biography available about Theremin by Albert Glinsky called "Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage" - there's a review here. (No affiliate link here, just a review.)

Theremin was quite an inventor - Glinksy's book is a good read, managing to be interesting and informative in equal measures.

Go here for more about Theremins, or here to buy one.

• The theremin was only arguably "futuristic" in the 1970s, considering the instrument was invented in the 1930s.
• A theremin can vary in frequency from subsonic to supersonic range.
• Although the simplest theremins produce a pure sine wave, the originals by Termin himself had a more complex timbre with multiple overtones. Modern ones, such as those from Big Briar (Robert Moog's current company) are adjustable.
• A theremin was indeed the instrument used on Good Vibrations, but I can't vouch for the ST:TOS theme.
• I agree, the buggers are very difficult to play!

Moog Music UK (not related to Bob Moog) is selling new Minimoogs.

Yeah, remakes. The good Dr. no longer owns his name, so the people at Moog aren't really Moog. For people who care.

Equal Time: Robert Moog does design and sell some pretty cool stuff under the name Moogerfooger - you can find info and order from BigBriar. Theremins too!

I bought his Ring Mod stompbox, I love it. Plus, signed by the man. Coolness!

(For people who don't know: "Moog" rhymes with "Rogue")

bob moog sold the company, and the comany changed hands many times. his current company ( big briar) makes some pretty neat theremins. midi controlled even. they also released some analog effects boxes that have gotten pretty good reviews.

so i guess there's two interesting companies in north carolina.