Behold, the Oomphalapompatronium!

posted Jun 27th 2011 5:05am by
filed under: musical hacks

Oomphalapompatronium

For over 25 years, [Len Solomon] has been performing a one-man variety show that features crazy-looking, hand-made musical instruments that operate on air. Some of his more famous instruments include a callioforte he constructed, as well as his Majestic Bellowphone, both powered by some form of bellows, of course.

His most recent musical creation is something [Len] likes to call the “Oomphalopompatronium” (try saying that five times fast). The bellows-driven Willy Wonka-esque organ looks to be built from just about anything and everything he could get his hands on. We spied a few plastic and glass bottles, plenty of PVC pipe, and a few tin cans before we stopped looking and just listened.

At first glance you might think that the Oomphalopompatronium will produce some cacophonous excuse for music, but once [Len] stepped up to the keyboard we were pleasantly surprised. The sound is that of a small scale Oompah band, much like the name implies.

We think it’s a fantastic creation – we’re just bummed that it we can’t check it out in person.

Stick around to see a video of the Oomphalopompatronium in action.

[Thanks, BoKu]



15 Responses to Behold, the Oomphalapompatronium!

  • Scott says:

    “Oomphalopompatronium”? – flatusforte, perhaps. Love it!!

  • t11r says:

    This looks like something that would be played in children’s movies. Sounds very strange but I can’t help but smile while it’s playing.

  • sp00nix says:

    Awesome, and the related video of Dewey playing his own oompaloompatron is awesome as well.

  • 0xFFFF says:

    Haha this is so awesome, reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNILUwC9RUs :D

  • can’t help but pronounce Oomphalapompatronium in a mixed accent of german and italian english pronunciation.

  • Otto says:

    Hail to the busdriver indeed.

  • zuul says:

    lol this is kickass

  • Mason Allen Moore says:

    Am I the only one who thinks he just called it “Willy wonka-esque” because he saw the title and thought “oompa loompa”? I know I saw that at first.

  • nikescar says:

    A whole wacky Gilliam-esque movie played in my head as I listened to that.

    Great build!

  • Mike Nathan says:

    @Mason,

    Yes, that did enter my mind when I saw the name of the device, but I also currently happen to be reading the Great Glass Elevator to my kids, so I have Wonka on the brain.

    You have to admit, it does seem odd, yet fun enough to be right at home in the chocolate factory.

  • MorbiousStone says:

    Every child Must have a wacky relative with wacky inventions!! yeah!! Ok I feel like a 6 year old now That was awesome!!

  • Chris says:

    That gave me a warm fuzzy feeling!

  • TheCreator says:

    If that isn’t a hack i don’t know what is.

  • DigDug says:

    That man looks wonderfully insane.

  • Nico says:

    I really like that hand-made musical instrument.

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