In 1590, Gregorio Comanini described an invention by the Mannerist painter Arcimboldo of a system for creating color-music, based on apparent luminosity (light-dark contrast) instead of hue.
The term color organ refers to a tradition of mechanical devices built to represent sound and accompany music in a visual medium. These were created in the 1900s, the eariest ones were devices attached to a harpsichord then later organs.
In the 1960s and '70s, the term "color organ" became popularly associated with electronic devices that responded to their music inputs with light shows.
Acoustical to optical converter for providing pleasing visual displays
2002-10-24 - Publication of US20020154787A1
2019-12-08 - Application status is Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3845468A * 1972-10-10 1974-10-29 R Smith Display system for musical tones
Application status is Expired - Lifetime
US4440059A * 1981-12-18 1984-04-03 Daniel Lee Egolf Sound responsive lighting device with VCO driven indexing
Application status is Expired - Lifetime
V1920P352 Heath Company 1982-07-21 Color organ assembly manual