Earth Sound Earth Signal

A fantastic book chronicling the history of sonified electromagnetism in the arts (and sciences). Kahn coins the term “Aelectrosonics” - the sounds created by the natural electromagnetic activity on earth and in space. All because we included the earth and space in our communication circuits (earth as electrical ground, the atmosphere as transmission medium for radio). From accidental listening - hearing the Aurora Borealis or whistlers on the telegraph and telephone lines of the 19th century - to sonifying brainwaves (Alvin Lucier) - to earth hums and moon bounces, to Alexander Graham Bell's photophone and Robert Barry's energy art.

Sometimes Kahn's documentation might be too thoroughly (too many quotes of people categorizing weird noises) but this book is wonderful, full of inspiration and I'll definitely have to go over it again.