The Clapper was a bad smart home gadget — and a viral sensation
The Verge explores the history and cultural impact of 'The Clapper,' a 1980s smart home device that became a viral sensation despite its inconsistent performance. The podcast episode examines whether the product's success was due to its utility or its iconic advertising campaign.
Why it matters
It provides a retrospective look at the evolution of home automation and the role of marketing in the success of early consumer technology.
Clap on. Clap off. Well, more like, Clap, pause for half a beat but no longer because otherwise it’ll stop hearing you, clap again because you waited too long, clap louder and faster, that didn’t work, clap two more times, and suddenly: on. The Clapper didn’t always work — and even when it did, it might fry your gadgets in the process — but it managed to become a big hit anyway.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in