The Clapper was a bad smart home gadget — and a viral sensation
The Verge explores the history and cultural impact of 'The Clapper,' a 1980s smart home device that became a viral sensation despite its inconsistent performance. The podcast episode examines whether the product's success was due to its utility or its iconic advertising campaign.
Clap on. Clap off. Well, more like, Clap, pause for half a beat but no longer because otherwise it’ll stop hearing you, clap again because you waited too long, clap louder and faster, that didn’t work, clap two more times, and suddenly: on. The Clapper didn’t always work — and even when it did, it might fry your gadgets in the process — but it managed to become a big hit anyway.
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