Fall of City of Great Pyramids,The Beginning of the End to Vitalismand How a Mathematician’s Oil-Drilling Algorithm Became Pop Music’s Greatest Innovation

In 1998, popular music artist Cher launched a new single, called “Believe.” A few seconds into the song, Cher sings the verse “I can’t break through,” while her voice is digitally manipulated to create a robotic, otherworldly effect. This moment marked the first mainstream use of a technology—Auto-Tune—that would forever change the pop music industry.

The technology had been invented just one year earlier. In 1997, engineer Andy Hildebrand developed Auto-Tune while adapting seismic technology originally used for oil exploration. The idea came when a friend joked about needing a way to sing in tune, prompting Hildebrand to realize that the same mathematical algorithms he used to interpret underground sound waves could be repurposed to correct off-key singing in real time.

Initially designed as a subtle tool for pitch correction, it quickly evolved into a defining sound of pop music. This unexpected creative use turned Auto-Tune into a cultural phenomenon, embraced by artists like Katy Perry and Kanye West to craft unique sonic identities. While critics argued it diminished musical authenticity, others saw it as an innovative instrument that redefined vocal performance.

Today, Auto-Tune is ubiquitous—from recording studios to live performances—and has transcended its origins as a technical tool. It has helped artists create new songs that were not possible before. It became another example of how ideas can flow across areas—in this case, a model used for oil exploration ended up creating a new pop revolution.

Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!