The tesla coil is transitioning from the lab to the stage.


Nikola Tesla's invention was meant to create high voltage, high frequency alternating-current electricity.


At the 2013 Kansas City Maker Faire, however, someone decided to have a bit more fun with the tesla coil, and use it to create music.


Watch what happens when HighVoltageFeathers uses an audio-modulated Dual Resonant Solid State Tesla Coil (DRSSTC) to play "Sail," by Awolnation.


According to the creator, this instrument pulled around 2 kilowatts, which is no more energy than a couple of running microwaves would use!


The machine puts out hundreds of sparks per second, which work like a sound wave. Changing the frequency of the sparks, changes the waves and consequently creates a different note.



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  • Clocky Alarm Clock On Wheels


    It would be pretty easy to catch an alarm clock on wheels in my shoebox apartment here in Manhattan, but for those of you with larger bedrooms, the Clocky Alarm Clock is sure to get you (physically) out of bed. After you hit snooze on the Clocky for the first time, it gets a' movin,' jumping down from your nighstand and onto your floor and then rolling around on its wheels; the alarm doesn't stop until you catch it and disable it. Perhaps this will make you wake up more quickly, or perhaps it will lead you to fall asleep prostrate on the floor clutching your alarm clock.

    The Clocky Alarm Clock On Wheels is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013CTFQ4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=epiemp0a-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B0013CTFQ4" target="_hplink">available on Amazon for $39.99</a>.




  • Amplicom Alarm Clock


    First, this alarm clock from Amplicom is really loud -- Amplicom specializes in products for the hard-of-hearing and deaf. Second, it comes with an optional vibrating disc, about the size of a large hamburger, which the sleepyhead can place in his bed, or under his pillow, or in his pajamas (if he can sleep that way); when the alarm goes off in the morning, in addition to the noise coming from the actual clock, the disc shakes. You might awake from a nightmare about an earthquake, but you'll be awake. The clock can also talk: When you hit the snooze bar it reads out the date, day and time in a harsh voice.

    <a href="http://www.amplicomusa.com/tcl-200-digital-alarm-clock.php" target="_hplink">Available from Amplicom for $99</a>.




  • Wake N Shake - Merciless Alarm Clock App


    This $1 iPhone app is our cheapest alarm clock option, and it is also one of our least relaxing: The Wake N Shake Merciless Alarm Clock requires you to do a whole lotta shakin' in order to turn off your alarm in the morning (or afternoon...). No mercy for the tired or hungover: You have to shake this thing HARD to get it to shut up. Watch a video demo above.

    <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wake-n-shake-the-merciless/id461785823?mt=8" target="_hplink">Available in the iTunes Store for $0.99</a>.




  • Jawbone Up


    One of the functions of Jawbone's Up wristband is a silent alarm clock, sending a silent pulse up your body to wake you up peacefully, but that's not all it does: The Up claims to measure your sleep patterns and daily activities to wake you up at the perfect time in your sleep cycle so that you are most refreshed at the time the Up goes off. Watch the video above for more (and <a href="http://jawbone.com/up/product" target="_hplink">head to the Jawbone homepage</a> to see what how else the Up can improve your miserable life).

    The Up <a href="http://store.jawbone.com/store/aliphcom/DisplayHomePage" target="_hplink">is available from Jawbone</a> in several colors for $99.




  • Lark


    The folks at Lark call their wristband an "un-alarm clock"; like the Up, the Lark connects to an iOS app that tracks and analyzes your sleeping patterns to better facilitate a pleasant wake-up. Again, you are awoken by pulses to the wrist (and also an audible alarm, if you tug off the Lark in your sleep); also again, the Lark lets you know how you can improve your sleep patterns to wake up better.

    The Lark is, like the Jawbone Up, $99, <a href="http://store.lark.com/" target="_hplink">available on its official website</a>. iPhone not included.




  • Flying Alarm Clock


    Here's an inventive one: When your alarm goes off in the morning, it shoots up in the air a little toy helicopter; in order to silence the alarm, you have to retrieve the helicopter and place it back into its dock. Until then, the alarm will continue to shriek, and shriek, and shriek. Don't use this one next to an open window if you live in a skyscraper.

    The Flying Alarm Clock <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9171/" target="_hplink">is available from ThinkGeek for $19.99</a>.




  • Defusable Alarm Clock


    What started as a concept alarm clock is now a very cool reality: nootropic design will send you the wires and the clock, and you provide the fake dynamite (or <a href="http://nootropicdesign.com/projectlab/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/c4-large.jpg" target="_hplink">the fake plastic explosive</a>) for your morning <em>Mission: Impossible</em> sequence. Cut the correct wire or the "bomb" "explodes" (really just a cute little light show). It takes a bit of DIY to construct a clock like the one above, but if you make a good defusable alarm clock, then it sure is a good conversation starter. Not recommended for those prone to stress dreams.

    Kit available from nootropic design for $32.95 (additional bundles of wires for $2.95).