Joseph Enterprises "Clapper" (1984)

The Clapper

The Clapper, introduced to the mass market in 1984, was a pioneering "As Seen on TV" home automation device that allowed users to control appliances simply by clapping their hands. Retailing for around $20, this white plastic electrical adapter plugged directly into a standard wall outlet and featured a built-in microphone paired with sound-filtering circuitry designed to recognize the distinct acoustic snap of a hand clap. The device could manage up to two separate appliances independently: plugging a lamp into the top outlet activated it with two claps, while plugging a television or radio into the bottom outlet triggered it with three claps. It also featured a secondary "Away" mode that acted as a simple security system by turning connected devices on at the slightest sound to startle potential intruders. Driven into pop-culture immortality by a low-budget commercial featuring an elderly woman clapping off her bedroom lights to an infectious jingle, the gadget became a staple holiday gift and America's earliest mainstream introduction to the concept of a smart home.

Acquired from: eBay.com