The Bob Moog Foundation Adds Bob’s Earliest Known Keyboard Instrument to Its Archives
April 27, 2026 (Asheville, NC) — The Bob Moog Foundation is excited to announce the addition of Bob Moog’s earliest known keyboard instrument, the Rensitron, to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Moog created the Rensitron, a small electronic organ, at 16 years old. It was commissioned by his music teacher at Bronx High School of Science, Hymen Rensin.
The Rensitron is a vacuum tube-based two octave electronic organ, featuring hand-carved wooden mini-keys and a built-in 5-inch speaker with a hand-made stylized “R” speaker grille, all encased in a slanted wooden cabinet.
The front panel has controls for output volume, tone, and pitch using the classic R.A. Moog chicken head knobs, a preview of things to come. The top of the instrument features a Dymo Labeler tape that reads, “Rensitron,” along with a second label reading, "Electronic Organ Made For Mr. Rensin By Robert Moog May 1951,” both in the same Dymo Labeler tape style as the early R.A. Moog modular systems.
“The Rensitron offers a glimpse into some early ideas that would later shape Bob’s approach to electronic instrument design,” said Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. “It’s remarkable to see that level of creativity and technical aptitude already present at sixteen years old. We are grateful to Hy Rensin and his family for stewarding this 75-year old instrument with such care.”
In addition to the Rensitron, a check dated May 21, 1951, in the amount of $10.00 ($120.00 when adjusted for inflation), made out to Robert Moog from Hymen Rensin for the payment of the Rensitron, has also been added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. The check is endorsed on the back by Moog. Moog’s hand-drawn schematic of the Rensitron accompanies the instrument.
Bob Moog began building electronic hobbyist projects at 10 years old with his father, George Conrad Moog, who was an electrical engineer for Con Edison, New York City’s power company. The senior Moog, an amateur woodworker, was likely responsible for the keyboard and cabinetry of the Rensitron.
Hymen Rensin was a music teacher at Bronx High School of Science from 1939 to 1974. For most of that time he was the chairman of the music department. He also taught music and mathematics in the evening division of the City University of New York, and played the violin and viola with various symphonies.
The Rensitron is the latest in a long line of rare, vintage Moog instruments added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, including an R.A. Moog Co. Model 201 theremin from 1954, an R.A. Moog Troubador theremin from 1962, two Moog modular synthesizers from 1967, Herb Deutsch’s Melodia theremin from 1961 and his R.A. Moog Co. Minimoog from 1971, a Musonics Minimoog, Gary Wright’s Moog Liberation keytar, the Moog Apollo prototype, the first Minimoog Voyager ever sold, and more.
The Bob Moog Foundation Archives is a vast and growing collection of over 15,000 pieces of historical materials related to the life and work of Bob Moog and those who worked with him. The Foundation protects and preserves these items to share with researchers, journalists, and museums, as well as featuring them in their own Moogseum, located in downtown Asheville, NC.
About the Bob Moog Foundation
Founded in 2005, the Bob Moog Foundation is dedicated to carrying on the innovative legacy of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog. Through programs like Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum, the organization inspires the next generation of musicians and innovators by blending science, music, technology, and education. For more information, visit https://moogfoundation.org/
Hunter Williams
