Many years ago a friend prepared a computer-generated 88-note roll
into which he carefully programmed Tempo compensation.  The roll was
printed out onto continuously long paper, using a plotter of the kind
that used to be available back then, possibly a Gould 4800.  The long
paper then was laboriously hand-cut with holes as indicated on the
printout.

One might imagine that the result was a delightful and faithful
rendition of the tune.  One would be wrong.  My friend lacked the
talent and knowledge required to create a musical arrangement, so the
punched holes merely represented the sheet music.

As any of us who have attempted our own hand-made rolls know, some
disastrously "clunky" results can arise from direct transcription of
the written notation.  Ragtime pianist Tom Brier says on his published
sheet music, "Do not play as written.  I never do."

Tempo compensation is a minor worry compared to other things that can
go wrong.  Fortunately, fixing those "gone wrong" details is often an
enjoyable part of the mechanical music hobby.

Peter Neilson