I own a Yamaha Disklavier and a Bremond music box.  However, pre-dating
those purchases by about a decade, I acquired my first mechanical musical
instrument.  Being a little slow about these things, it was only in the
last few months the light bulb went on and I recognized this object to be
a mechanical instrument.  How, might you ask did I overlook such an
obvious fact?  I did say I was a little slow, didn't I.

I had purchased a teapot, and not just any old whistling teapot.  This
one plays "Tea for Two", or should I say it plays the melody of "Tea for
Two".  The mechanism is a steam-driven whistle which is housed *inside*
the pot.  When the lid is in the resting position, a rubber gasket holds
the lid tightly closed.  As the water heats, the pressure inside builds
until the pressure is released through the calliope-like mechanism in
the lid.

As I've reviewed past issues of the Digest I've noticed an interest in
all sorts of things like this -- Christmas tree ornaments, Fisher-Price
toys, etc. -- but haven't seen any mention of this or any other teapot.
I'm curious if anyone else out there owns a T42 Kettle manufactured by
Metrokane or knows of other musical teapots that get past whistling a
single note or chord.

Bob Fitterman¶
bobf@ilx.com