bookmark_borderLeon Theremin’s Secret Weapon

A special exhibit at the Franklin Institute:

Saturday, June 29 – 1:30PM
Free with Museum Admission

How did a troop of Russian Boy Scouts become involved in a famous international spying incident?

What Russian spy invented a one-of-a-kind musical instrument, and what amazing thing does his instrument do?

Who was the American spy that was shot down over Soviet air space, and what was his connection to all this?

Find out in LEON THEREMIN’S SECRET WEAPON, hosted by Andrew Baron.

The presentation will include an introduction to Theremin’s secret activities in the early years of the Cold War and feature a live demonstration of The Franklin Institute’s own historic Theremin instrument. The presentation will conclude with a rare opportunity for volunteers from the audience to try their hand at playing, and responses to questions from the audience as time allows.

Andrew Baron is an historian and restorer of Theremin’s rare original instruments, and has conducted research and repairs on The Franklin Institute’s original 1929 Theremin, and Clara Rockmore’s RCA Theremin at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the co-host of the educational website RCATheremin.com, with his colleague Mike Buffington.

bookmark_borderSpy: The Secret World of Espionage

Franklin Institute
Opens May 5

In SPY: The Secret World of Espionage, learn the importance of intelligence gathering and discover how real men and women can change the world every day—one secret at a time. Featuring over 200 historical artifacts and the stories they have to tell—including a collapsible motorbike, a two-man submersible, and a CIA robotic catfish—combined with firsthand spy experiences like personal disguises, voice alteration and navigating through a field of laser beams—find out what it’s truly like to be a spy!

There has never been a shortage of intrigue in the world of spies, and the artifacts and interactive displays in the exhibit vividly tell their stories, past and present, through actual tools, technologies, and testimonials. Discover the real-life evolution of spy technology and experience life as a spy by navigating through an actual laser field, using voice altering technologies to conceal your voice, and creating your very own spy disguise.