Stuff You Should Know – Laurens Hammond: The Non-Musical Genius Who Changed Popular Music

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts delve into the life and accomplishments of Laurens Hammond, the non-musical genius who changed popular music forever with his invention of the electric organ, specifically the Hammond organ. They explore the history of the Hammond organ, its impact on various genres of music, and Hammond’s journey as an inventor. From his early tinkering with engines to his successful career as an independent inventor, Laurens Hammond’s story is one of innovation and ingenuity.

Main Takeaways

Revolutionizing Popular Music

• Laurens Hammond invented the electric organ, specifically the Hammond organ.
• The Hammond organ was used in famous songs such as “Refuge” by Tom Petty and “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan.
• The Hammond organ revolutionized popular music and is still widely used today in various genres.

The Journey of Laurens Hammond

• Hammond’s mother was an impressionist painter who exposed him to the arts from an early age.
• Living in Paris, Hammond developed an interest in tinkering and engineering.
• Hammond was a child prodigy who invented a crude version of an automatic transmission at age 12.
• He became an expert in electrical engineering and chose to be an independent inventor.

The Invention of the Hammond Organ

• Hammond built upon the work of Thaddeus K. Hill and Hermann von Helmholtz to create the Hammond organ.
• The Hammond organ used the tone wheel and electronics to replicate the sounds of different instruments.
• Hammond’s breakthrough was the use of electronics to control tonal variations and create unique sounds.
• The Hammond organ had 253 million possible tonal variations, allowing for incredible richness in music.

The Impact and Legacy of the Hammond Organ

• The Hammond organ was initially marketed towards serious musicians, home musicians, professionals, and churches.
• It gained popularity and was widely used in churches, baseball stadiums, and early radio soap operas.
• Ethel Smith’s performance in the movie “Bathing Beauty” popularized the Hammond organ.
• The Leslie speaker, invented by Don Leslie, enhanced the sound of the Hammond organ.

Summary

Laurens Hammond: A Journey of Innovation

Laurens Hammond’s journey as an inventor began with his early exposure to the arts through his mother, an impressionist painter. Living in Paris, he developed an interest in tinkering and engineering, which eventually led him to become an expert in electrical engineering. Despite not playing any musical instruments and being tone-deaf, Hammond’s innovative mind led him to invent the electric organ, specifically the Hammond organ, which revolutionized popular music.

The Invention of the Hammond Organ

Building upon the work of Thaddeus K. Hill and Hermann von Helmholtz, Hammond created the Hammond organ by using the tone wheel and electronics to replicate the sounds of various instruments. His breakthrough was the use of electronics to control tonal variations, allowing organists to create their own unique sounds. With 253 million possible tonal variations, the Hammond organ provided incredible richness and creativity in music.

The Impact and Legacy of the Hammond Organ

The Hammond organ quickly gained popularity and found its way into churches, baseball stadiums, and early radio soap operas. Ethel Smith’s performance in the movie “Bathing Beauty” further popularized the instrument. The invention of the Leslie speaker by Don Leslie enhanced the sound of the Hammond organ, creating a vibrato effect and making it sound even more amazing. Today, the Hammond organ is still widely used in various genres of music, continuing Laurens Hammond’s legacy as a non-musical genius who changed popular music forever.

Conclusion

Laurens Hammond’s invention of the electric organ, specifically the Hammond organ, revolutionized popular music and continues to be a staple in various genres. Despite not being a musician himself, Hammond’s expertise in electrical engineering and his innovative mind allowed him to create an instrument that provided musicians with incredible richness and creativity. The Hammond organ’s impact on popular music is undeniable, and Laurens Hammond’s legacy as a non-musical genius lives on.