The Clapper: A bad smart home gadget that became a viral sensation
The latest episode of 'Version History' explores the story of The Clapper, a sound-activated switch that was unreliable and could damage devices, yet became a huge hit thanks to its iconic advertising campaign.
The Clapper – a device that turned lights on and off with a clap – was far from a perfect smart home gadget. It often didn't work as intended and could even fry connected electronics. Despite these flaws, it became a massive hit, largely due to one of the greatest advertising campaigns of all time.
In the season finale of 'Version History,' host David Pierce and Victoria Song, along with Allison Marsh, a writer and professor at the University of South Carolina, delve into the device's history and legacy. Originally called 'The Great American Turn-On,' the product's journey from inception to cultural phenomenon is examined. The team aims to decide whether The Clapper was genuinely a good product or merely a brilliant commercial.
This is the sixth and final episode of the fourth season. Previous episodes covered the Harmony remote, Roomba vacuum, Nest thermostat, Keurig coffee maker, and Philips Hue smart lights. The show will take a few weeks off to prepare the next batch of episodes.
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