The Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal
Psssst! I will tell you a secret: Grand Central has an AMAZING invisible communication system. You can talk to another person when she is not by your side and NOT using a cell phone. How does that work? Where is it? How can you do that, too? Learn more about it in this story.
Go with a friend to the Grand Central Terminal's lower level – the dining concourse. Then, walk to the corridor outside the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant. You’ll see four low arches, built by a father and son back in 1913.
four low arches, built by a father and son back in 1913.. Photo: Lucas Compan
The Oyster Bar & Restaurant entrance at the dining concourse. Photo: Lucas Compan
Before you fill your bellies, you must run to the corners of the restaurant entrance, and have some fun playing with these arches that are, actually, an acoustic ellipse. Without asking twice, you can hear the voice of your friends across the room. Meaning, if you and your friend stand at diagonal corners of the archer (so you are the farthest apart you can be), and whisper softly, you will be able to HEAR each other – as clearly as if you were whispering into each other's ears. Some people say they even have goosebumps. Well, go figure what they are really whispering, right? ; )
Sound-reflecting arches
The Whispering Gallery is not accidental. The design was carefully calculated to focus and project sound-reflecting sound across the dome to the opposite side. You can find it also inside the Oyster Bar.
At the Oyster Bar you can also try this little (and romantic) trick
It's said that celebrated jazz musician Charles Mingus used to play his bass in one of The Whispering Gallery's corners for maximum acoustic effect. How cool is that?
It's said that celebrated jazz musician Charles Mingus used to play his bass in one of The Whispering Gallery's corners for maximum acoustic effect. How cool is that?