Horn

A schematic engraving of a large spiraled tube, ending in a flared bell-shaped mouth and labeled with alphabetical markers. The illustration demonstrates the internal geometry of an acoustic device designed to amplify sound or facilitate long-distance communication. It reflects the 17th-century fascination with the mechanical properties of sound and the construction of 'wondrous' acoustic machines.

Athanasius Kircher was a pioneer in the study of acoustics, which he integrated into his 'pansophic' worldview that sought to understand the hidden harmonies of the universe. This diagram illustrates his theories on the reflection and amplification of sound waves, a field he termed 'Phonurgia,' which bridged the gap between natural philosophy and the creation of mechanical wonders.