The 80-Ton Behemoth in Leipzig

Here's the story:  When Melissa Reaves, who translated the text of
"Im Aufnahmesalon Hupfeld" into English, presented her first document,
containing the mention of an 80-ton device for reproducing roll
recordings, I questioned it and made the correction at the time,
without however, consulting the editor, Eszter Fontana.

I was certain that it was an 80-note player to which reference was
made and that the slip would be caught in the final version.  Alas,
when came time to print, I was not sent the complete text for
last-minute correction, rather, just the captions and notes.  That's
how it got into the translation you are reading.

Dan Wilson speculated that it might be real, but I believe the lengthy
article in the MMD 030903 ultimately agrees that it is a simple
translation error.  Not so simple, when you realize that 80 tons is
160,000 pounds.

Hope this clears it up for all.  I am pleased with the overall result
and believe that you will enjoy the book even more, now that it is
accessible to those of us not acquainted with the original language.

Albert M. Petrak, Founder
The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation