Hi MMDers,  I am wondering how many years back can we trace the
pneumatic single-input lock & cancel device?  In other words, when
was the first single-input lock & cancel used in an automatic musical
instrument?

We know that a mechanical version was used many years earlier in the
pipe organ world, as pointed out in Craig Brougher's excellent chapter
in "The Orchestrion Builder's Manual".  The first pneumatic version
would probably have been used in an orchestrion, while trying to
conserve the number of control perforations in the scale's width.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm working on my own version and
it's turning out to be pretty straightforward; something that could
have easily existed when rolls were first in use.

I would really appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Thanks,
Brian Smith
Calimesa, Calif.