Antheil's original 1924 version of Ballet mécanique was not performed
until 1999 at University of Massachusetts at Lowell, followed by
sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall and by the San Francisco
Symphony. The original version had never been played before, due to the
physical impossibility of synchronizing 10-12 player pianos being
played simultaneously until the advent of computer systems and
computer-controlled player pianos. In 1942, Antheil and actress Hedy
Lamarr were granted a patent for cryptography based on player piano
technology. Neither made any money from this patent, even though it is
crucial to computer cryptography and security to the present day.