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Google doodles on Dr Robert Moog's 78th birthday

Last updated on: May 23, 2012 11:35 IST
Screenshot of Moog's virtual synthesizer on Google home page

The search giant's home page displays a virtual Moog synthesizer, invented by Dr Robert Moog as a tribute to the greatest pioneer of electronic music.

Google's doodles have rarely ever failed to surprise us.

Today's Google home page is replaced with an interactive synthesizer to commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of American music enthusiast Dr Robert Arthur Bob Moog who is better known for inventing the Moog synthesizer -- a pioneering instrument that produces electronic music.

Users can click on the virtual synthesizer and create music by clicking the black and white keys. You can tweak the settings like Mixer, Oscillators, Filter and Envelope of the keyboard to compose your music and also record them to be heard later.

Born on May 23, 1934 in New York City, Dr Robert Moog went on to become a pioneer in electronic music.

A proficient student of science, Moog first graduated from The Bronx High School of Science in New York in 1952, before pursuing two more degrees -- a bachelor's degree in physics from Queens College, New York in 1957, and a degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University.

Post his PhD in engineering physics from Cornell University, Moog went on to bag honorary doctorates from Polytechnic Institute of New York University and Lycoming College, Pennsylvania.

He was also awarded the Grammy Trustees Award in 1970.

The 'Moog synthesizer' was considered an innovation in electronic music that inspired many and led to several other innovations like the Minimoog Voyager, Little Phatty, Moog Minitaur, Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, Minimoog Model D, the Animoog ios app among others.

In 2004, Hans Fjellestad made a documentary film titled Moog and dedicated it to Dr Robert Moog as a tribute to mark the fiftieth anniversary of RA. Moog Company.

In April of 2005, Moog was diagnosed with brain tumour and four months later, on August 21, 2005 Dr Moog breathed his last in Asheville, North Carolina. He was 71.

Post his demise, the Bob Moog Foundation was created with the aim of preserving and continuing the musician's dream of developing electronic music.