Electronic Musician on line has a four part historical overview of the role of electronics in music. Electronic music either begins with the bold but ill fated Telharmonium in 1906 or with Leon Theremin's inventive engineering school project that became know as the Theremin. The first commercially successful product was the Laurens Hammond's Model A using tonewheels that were refinements of the generators that were the heart of Cahill's Telharmonium. Hammond taught us the potential of the combination of innovative design backed up by solid production and business practices and intense marketing efforts. And an industry was launched.

This four part tutorial is an interesting and engaging read and for many of us a nostalgic look back at an evolving industry that has been a source of employment as well as a recreational and creative outlet for us. I am sure that each us will have favorite instruments that either made the article or were left out. They have done a pretty good job of hitting the major steps forward in the industry while not delving deeply into all of the incremental advancements. Recommended for the geekiest of us technophiles that love exploring every nook and cranny of this industry of ours.

http://emusician.com/tutorials/electronic_century1/