It is recorded that "The Clapper" (a device that turns lights on when you clap you hands together,) was issued US Patent #5493618 on July 9, 1986 and first sold to the public on September 1, 1985. I did always think of it as an eighties thing, like the foam rubber beer can holder.
However, the concept was initially revealed in 1963 by Lee Boschen, though not patented. He sets forth the mechanism in his book "Computer Circuit Projects You Can Build." He calls it the "Sonolamp"-- a name I actually like better.
What made me check the background of "The Clapper" was a viewing an old episode of Columbo. Specifically it was Season 4, Episode 5 (1975)-- "Playback." Beside Peter Falk, of course, it stars Oskar Werner and Gena Rowlands. Rowlands plays a rich paraplegic who is treated like a hothouse flower. Werner is her conniving husband, and the head of the electronics firm that is owned by Gena Rowland's mother.
Their mansion is drowning in tech gadgets: video surveillance, digital watches and, most importantly, doors that open when you clap your hands.
The first picture shows Werner using the clap doors. In the second Columbo is doing it. This picture also depicts the penultimate moment in his standard process of patiently trapping the killer. Peter Falk is always so good to watch in those old episodes; really, he's good in almost everything. Especially in "Wings of Desire"-- his was a very reassuring presence.
Falk:You got robbed, but that happens. Let me tell you something. I'm going back now thirty years! New York City...pawn shop, 23rd and Lex...the guy gave me five hundred dollars.
