moogThe History Center in Tompkins County will open the exhibition Switched-On:  The Birth of the Moog Synthesizer on Friday, May 2nd. Telling the story of Bob Moog and the development of the groundbreaking electronic instruments bearing his name, Switched-On will provide museum-goers an interactive, engaging opportunity to learn about this important chapter of our region's history.

Based on a series of wide-ranging oral history interviews done with family members, colleagues, and contemporaries, and done in partnership with the Asheville, N.C.-based Bob Moog Foundation, the exhibition provides unparalleled insight into the unique genius of Bob Moog and the ways in which he ushered in a revolution in music. From the words of Herbert Deutsch and Bernie Worrell to Shirleigh Moog, David Borden, and many others, and featuring rare Moog instruments such as a vacuum tube theremin, a pre-production Minimoog, and an early Moog amplifier of which only three were ever sold, Switched-On will be the first major exhibition on Bob Moog and Moog Synthesizers to occur in the region, and will run through May 30th, 2015.

Robert Moog came to Ithaca, NY in 1957 to begin his PhD work at Cornell University. R.A. Moog, Co. manufactured and sold theremins and theremin kits in the late 1950's and early 1960's. In 1963, Moog opened a storefront for his small factory in nearby Trumansburg, NY. It was there that the Moog modular synthesizer and the iconic Minimoog were born. The factory grew and was a mainstay in the region until 1971, when it was moved to Williamsville, NY by a new venture capitalist owner. Switched-On will tell the story of Moog in Trumansburg, using the oral histories of those who knew him, worked with him, and shared his path in shaping a revolution in sound and music.

Image courtesy of Roger Luther / moogarchives.com

v10i13