Did you know that the only clapping-like sound in existence comes from one’s hands? A dog’s bark, coughing, any type of sharp quick sounds will NEVER be confused with a clap in the history of anyone’s hearing… EVER!… or at least that’s what The Clapper’s inventors Carlile R. Stevens and Dale E. Reamer hoped for when they introduced The Clapper to the world one dark and stormy night in 1984. The Clapper works on sounds and specifically was intended to use clapping sounds to turn off and on items in your house. I know, I know, you’re thinking…. how did this come out in 1984 and not 2241?! What witchcraft is this?
Seriously though, The Clapper was uber simple to use and totally not mystical — just plug the large plastic device into an electrical socket, block your couch, table or chair from ever sitting flush with the wall again and voila — you have The Clapper. OK, maybe it’s not that simple, but isn’t it always annoying when the only free electrical socket is that one plug against the wall behind the couch — that one you’ll never be able to get to? The Clapper’s inventors should tackle that problem next!…. Or maybe we could all just buy an extension cord that increases the amount of available electric sockets in our homes…. decisions… anyways….
Once you plugged The Clapper into a wall socket, you’d then plug your lamp or TV or misbehaving child into the device and presto chango — two quick clap sounds with your hands would turn whatever was plugged into The Clapper off and on (except that misbehaving child, as they’ll never shut off ‘til they leave for college). The Clapper was marketed as being controlled by two quick claps, but come on — The Clapper was stupid and any sharp sounds, even the squeek of overactive bedsprings (wink, wink) might make the device turn the lights off and on. Still, it was cool that The Clapper allowed you to control lights without the pedestrian need to walk with one’s feet to a light switch. For those in 1984, it felt pretty 2241, and The Clapper made everyone forget that there were supposed to be flying cars by the ‘80s (Hello? Where are you, flying cars?).
Obviously, it sounds like I’ve been crapping on The Clapper by pointing out it’s stupid and can’t decipher sounds and…. Yes, I am crapping on The Clapper. Though to be fair (to me), The Clapper was pretty crappy for being one of the first of many home automation devices to encourage Americans to adopt their present sedentary screen-staring lifestyles (thanks for reading this!). That doesn’t mean some good didn’t come out of The Clapper’s creation and, in a roundabout way, The Clapper’s design was a great example of how to persist in the face of adversity and not give up in making this world a better place.
See, The Clapper that came out in 1984 — it was seen as more of a novelty item, and sales weren’t so hot as a result. Like I mentioned, The Clapper was stupid and would easily turn off and on from sounds that weren’t claps, such as gunshots from your neighbors breaking in (the ‘80s were a crazy time). Even The Clapper’s inventor Carlile R. Stevens noted about the original device, “It was a crapper, really.” Still, Stevens knew Americans were destined to meet their ultimate fate of a sedentary lifestyle and he didn’t give up when fantasizing about a more enabling Clapper, stating, “Wouldn’t it be nice if you had one that worked? Think how many more you could sell.” OK, so Stevens was hoping to make The Clapper better because he wanted more money and not for some altruistic goal like helping make Americans more lazy or world peace, but still! Stevens didn’t give up! Persistence for the win, right?!
Undaunted, in 1987, Stevens introduced The Smart Clapper, which featured a “microprocessor” that would help it better discern sounds and… it was still a cheap device that had problems with everyday clicking-type sounds accidentally turning the device off and on, but at least… progress? The Clapper also eventually added a “home” and “away” feature, so the device didn’t accidentally trigger your TV and add to the Nielsen ratings when you’re on vacation. Progress! There is even now a Clapper Plus which adds a remote to turn your devices off and on…. remotes — for those times your hands are too chapped to clap and you want to press a button like the good old days without moving your feet to a switch on the wall.
Regardless of what you think of The Clapper, at least it’s a cheap home automation option for those of us who want to turn our lights off and on easily without having to spend hundreds for wifi light bulbs and fancy home tech hubs. Innovation leads to innovation and while The Clapper might one day be destined for the junk pile where all stocking stuffers go that you forgot about that one Christmas, at least we will all be left with the amazing(ly annoying) commercial jingle for The Clapper: “Clap on. *Clap Sound* *Clap Sound* Clap off. *Clap Sound* *Clap Sound* Clap on. Clap off. The Clapper *Clap Sound* *Clap Sound*” Isn’t seeing sounds spelled out so satisfying? No? I don’t think so either, so here’s the commercial:
Wow, “retro” commercials (yes, you’re that old)…they don’t make them like they used to, right? Always the cutting edge device, The Clapper can now be bought in Darth Vader and A Christmas Story lamp forms (how with the times?). Check out these Clapper variations HERE and/or spend some time purchasing other items on Amazon through that link so we can keep the hot water running at our HQ — seriously, don’t they say serial killers like cold showers? Do you want to produce another cold-shower-made serial killer? Didn’t think so. YOU WERE ALREADY GONNA BUY THIS HUGGABLES PANDA POOL FLOAT (IT HOLDS YOUR BEER TOO!) ANYWAYS, SO CLICK ME, IMPULSE BUY NOW PLEASE, MY HERO. 🙂
And don’t forget! There’s a comment section below if you wanna chat about clapping — I love new friends or old friends, any friends really, my friend.
- One of The Clapper’s inventors, Carlile R. Stevens, is the impetus for those terrible fluorescent lights seen in every major office building around the world. Stevens invented fluorescent light ballasts, which help steady electricity so fluorescent lights stay on and don’t flicker.
- Carlile R. Stevens’ most lucrative invention wasn’t The Clapper, it was the $96 million jury award he received after being swindled out of his fluorescent light ballasts’ profits by Universal Manufacturing Corporation.
- Joseph Enterprises manufacturers The Clapper and the company also manufactures another popular annoying TV commercial favorite, the Chia Pet.
- The Clapper was not the first precursor to modern home automation devices, the first home automation invention was actually the X10 protocol created in 1975. X10 consisted of electronic modules much like The Clapper, that one could plug their appliances (or lightbulbs) into and control remotely, but unlike The Clapper, X10 devices could be controlled by power line and radio communications.
- During the 1990-1991 Gulf war, The Clapper’s commercial was played on repeat as a form of torture used to extract information from prisoners… and if I’m making this up (I am), The Clapper commercial for sure can still be used this way effectively.
- One of The Clapper’s inventors, Carlile R. Stevens, is the impetus for those terrible fluorescent lights seen in every major office building around the world. Stevens invented fluorescent light ballasts, which help steady electricity so fluorescent lights stay on and don’t flicker.
- Carlile R. Stevens’ most lucrative invention wasn’t The Clapper, it was the $96 million jury award he received after being swindled out of his fluorescent light ballasts’ profits by Universal Manufacturing Corporation.
- Joseph Enterprises manufacturers The Clapper and the company also manufactures another popular annoying TV commercial favorite, the Chia Pet.
- The Clapper was not the first precursor to modern home automation devices, the first home automation invention was actually the X10 protocol created in 1975. X10 consisted of electronic modules much like The Clapper, that one could plug their appliances (or lightbulbs) into and control remotely, but unlike The Clapper, X10 devices could be controlled by power line and radio communications.
- During the 1990-1991 Gulf war, The Clapper’s commercial was played on repeat as a form of torture used to extract information from prisoners… and if I’m making this up (I am), The Clapper commercial for sure can still be used this way effectively.
