Through the pioneering work of Ernst Chladni (1756 - 1829) and Dr. Hans Jenny, it has been shown that sound affects physical matter. Chladni drew a violin bow across the edge of metal plates which were sprinkled with fine sand. Different rates (frequencies) produced certain geometrical patterns.

With more modern technology, the Swiss Dr Hans Jenny investigated what happens when sand, fungal spores, dust, water, etc, are vibrated by sound waves. He used crystal oscillators which can maintain an exact frequency, and invented a machine called the tonoscope, which allowed him to view the result of changing the sound in any way.