At Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington headquarters, an anechoic chamber holds the Guinness World Record for the quietest place on Earth, with background noise levels measured at -20.6 decibels.
This chamber is so silent that visitors can hear their own heartbeats, blood circulation, and even the grinding of their bones. The room’s unique design includes six layers of concrete and steel, with the entire structure sitting atop vibration-damping springs to prevent external noise and vibrations from entering.
Inside, fiberglass wedges line the walls, ceiling, and floor to absorb sound waves and eliminate echoes. Originally constructed for product testing, this chamber allows engineers to fine-tune electronic components by eliminating nearly all external noise.
Despite its remarkable silence, most visitors find the experience disconcerting and struggle to remain inside for extended periods, as the absence of ambient sound can lead to a loss of balance and spatial orientation.
