A styrophone is an acoustic device made from expanded polystyrene foam (often referred to by the genericized trademark Styrofoam). There are at least two varieties:

Musical instrument

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The musical Styrophone is a type of friction idiophone created by Robert Rutman in the 1990s as a parody of his well-known sheetmetal instrument, the Bow Chimes. It consists of a foam box from which protrude a series of thin brass rods played with a violin bow. Rutman's ensemble would build the impromptu instruments prior to a performance, and then destroy them through the process of their use.[1] Other versions have been created with wooden sticks used in place of metal.[2]

Styrophone loudspeaker

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An inexpensive alternative to heavy-duty amplification systems, the Styrophone loudspeaker is usually of a cheap homemade variety that consists of a crystal earpiece attached to a cone made from a foam cup or sections of packing material.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Antunovic, Martina (2013). "Report: Bullshittin' on a Chair with Bob Rutman". Platoon Kunsthalle. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Frictioned Foam" by Liam Mooney
  3. ^ "Styrophone Crystal Loud Speaker" from Peebles Originals