It is interesting to compare the player piano to a computer.  I believe
that in the time period when most players were sold that they were just
as impressive as the modern lap top is today.  Now on to the history of
the most remarkable player piano ever made: the * Nickelodeon Piano. *

There were many different manufacturers of coin operated pianos.  One
of the makers was the North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works.  They
went through good times and bad times.  This company still exists
today, although very different from the early days.

The North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works sold pianos under several
different names with the later ones bearing the name Capitol.  They
underwent several different ownerships with the last one bearing the
name Rand Company.  The Artizan company was actually formed with a
group of former North Tonawanda employees.  The Rand Company took over
in 1918.

Today we all know the Rand Company as Remington Rand.  Didn't Remington
Rand make a computer in the 50's?  Perhaps the size of a room and known
as the first computer?  So there is a link from today's computer to the
player piano.

Don Teach, Shreveport Music Co
1610 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport,  LA  71105