The Variophone (1932)

Developed in the Soviet Union in 1932 by Yevgeny Alexandrovitch Sholpo, the Variophone used an optical synthesis method where sound waves are drawn onto transparent 35mm film generating sounds controlled by photo-electric cells. Sholpo had been experimenting with 'drawn sound' since the 1920's and created several sound works by photographing drawings to create soundtracks. At the same time in the USSR several other artists were experimenting with similar ideas such as Arseny Avraamov who produced film soundtracks created by photographing series of drawings - "Plan Velikikh Rabot" (Plan of great works) and "Kem Bit" (who to be) in 1930. 

This technique was later developed by the Moscow Experimental Studio and by Daphne Oram in England. 

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