We’re writing a book! The Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments (the book) will be published by Reaktion books in 2026, and feature many of your favorites here as well as more imaginary musical instruments from across history.
Where people are talking about the Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments:
“This is more like how the Internet used to be, weird and cool.” –Johnsense
Talk + Q&A with the Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments at Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Denmark (Nov 2021)
Soundproof, ABC Radio National (a Just Radio production) (Fall 2016)
An exhibit of historical and contemporary prints, curated by Deirdre Loughridge and Thomas Patteson. With images dating from 1618-1995, the variety of pure inventive genius on display includes excellent reproductions of JJ Grandville, Robert Fludd, and Johann Gottlob Kruger. Images from Experimental Musical Instruments Journal including Cloud 8 Archives by Hal Ramel contribute more contemporary works of fictional acoustic fantasy.
Phox Pop Magazine: “The wonderful history of made-up musical contraptions” (August 2016)
Wired Magazine: Bruce Sterling, “Who Can’t Like It?” (Dec 2015)
Obscura Magazine: Jonathan Poh, “The Joys and Wonders of ‘Fictaphones'”
Creativiteach: “Hearing the Sounds in my Brain” (Oct 2015)
Dressing the Air, The Bureau of Sensory Intelligence