- Antheil's original 1924 version of Ballet mécanique was not performed until 1999 at University of Massachusetts at Lowell, followed by sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall and by the San Francisco Symphony. The original version had never been played before, due to the physical impossibility of synchronizing 10-12 player pianos being played simultaneously until the advent of computer systems and computer-controlled player pianos. In 1942, Antheil and actress Hedy Lamarr were granted a patent for cryptography based on player piano technology. Neither made any money from this patent, even though it is crucial to computer cryptography and security to the present day.
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