The Theremin

I had planned to spend part of my Thanksgiving holiday finishing and publishing draft blog posts, of which I have many. But I find it really difficult to catch up on explaining old ideas when new ones keep coming along!

Here are two examples of new things I found interesting today, and where I would put them in the curriculum if I introduced them to students:

Did Regency Women ACTUALLY Wear Wet Dresses??

YouTube video with Bernadette Banner and Dr. Hilary Davidson

Although at first glace, this looks like it would go in History, Regency fashion isn't something we study in Waldorf, given that U.S. History has now begun and that takes up quite a lot of time in 8th grade.

I would actually put this idea in Science, as an example of TESTING something instead of just repeating what you have been told.

The Beguiling, Misunderstood Theremin

New York Times article from Nov 29, 2025

The theremin would also go in Science, most likely in grade 8 Physics because of the complexity of the concept (an electromagnetic field produced by a radio frequency oscillating circuit). However, there's a fun little tie-in with Alexander Calder as well (MoMA's “Calder Plays Theremin”) and so you could put it in Art History if you prefer.

The world is such an interesting place!!!