The Clapper: Viral Sensation, Terrible Smart Home Gadget
▼ Summary
– The Clapper is a sound-activated device that often malfunctioned, requiring precise clapping and sometimes damaging electronics, yet it became a major success.
– This episode of Version History explores The Clapper’s history, from its original name “The Great American Turn-On” to its iconic advertising campaign.
– The podcast features host David Pierce and co-host Victoria Song discussing the device with Allison Marsh, a writer and professor from the University of South Carolina.
– The episode aims to determine whether The Clapper was a good product or merely a great commercial.
– Verge subscribers can access ad-free versions of Version History and other podcasts through their account settings.
Clap on. Clap off. Or more accurately: clap, hesitate for a beat that’s too short, clap again after waiting too long, then clap louder and faster as nothing happens, followed by two more frantic claps, and finally , the light turns on. The Clapper was never a reliable device. When it did work, it sometimes risked frying your electronics. Yet, despite its flaws, the gadget became a massive cultural phenomenon.
In the latest episode of Version History, the team unpacks the story of The Clapper. It began life as The Great American Turn-On before evolving into the product we all remember, propelled by one of the most iconic advertising campaigns ever created. The Verge’s David Pierce and Victoria Song are joined by Allison Marsh, a writer and professor at the University of South Carolina. Together, they explore the device’s origins, its lasting legacy, and tackle the central question: was The Clapper actually a good product, or was it just a brilliant commercial?
Subscribers to The Verge can listen to Version History and all other podcasts without ads. Simply adjust your account settings to access ad-free episodes.
For those eager to learn more about The Clapper, follow the links below to dive deeper into its history.
(Source: The Verge)
