---
title: "Dwonnnnnnnng"
date: 2005-11-24T00:16:29-05:00
url: https://blog.lmorchard.com/2005/11/24/dwonnnnnnnng/
author: Les Orchard
tags: [asides]
---

# Dwonnnnnnnng

So, for all these years since I first saw [Star Trek: The Motion Picture][sttmp] at [the Seaway drive-in in Algonac, MI][swd] in footie pajamas with my parents, I've always wondered what made that sound.  You know, that "dwonnnnnng" sound that I've forever associated with spaceships and Star Trek.

I always assumed it was something synthesized.  Turns out, it's a huge metal instrument called a [Blaster Beam][bb], invented by Craig Huxdley.  

[swd]: http://www.michigandriveins.com/detail.asp?id=4
[bb]: http://www.gigapolis.com/silkroad/kitaro/english/equipment/beam.htm
[sttmp]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079945/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9c3RhciB0cmVrfGZ0PTF8bXg9MjB8bG09NTAwfGNvPTF8aHRtbD0xfG5tPTE_;fc=9;ft=87;fm=1