Cymatics is the study of the visualization of sound through vibrations. The theorized beginnings of humanities encounter with the phenomenon comes from the oldest known instrument, the drum. Tribes would sprinkle drums with sand, play them, then look at the patterns created afterwords, this dates back over 1000 years ago. Many of the most classical scientists experienced cymatics in their studies such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Robert Hooke.

Things started to get really interesting when Ernst Chladni (a German scientist and the "father of acoustics") chose to center his research toward the phenomena. Chladni would pour sand on a brass plate then drag a violin bow across it to produce shapes. He could change the frequency by dragging the bow at different places on the plate at different speeds. Chlandi decided to show the effect to Napoleon who took immediate action at finding a scientific/mathematical explanation. It was then found to be in result to sound waves and vibration.

Many more scientists explored and experimented with the phenomenon, making smaller additions and explanations. Multiple devices were created to visualize cymatics such as the Ediophone, Tonoscope, and the more recent Cymascope.

Though there has been some research, there is much we do not understand in a mathematical view.                                                                                                                                   http://cymascope.com/cyma_research/history.html

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