Six or seven years ago, the Minnesota Historical Society contacted
me about a project.  They had a Simplex player piano that they wanted
to include in a "Music in Minnesota" exhibit.  The criteria was that
anyone could sit down and pump the piano at any time and it would play.

After restoration of the bottom bellows and pneumatic stack, I adapted
the top portion of a Story and Clark Universal player action (spool
box with electric roll drive motor) to the Simplex pneumatic/valve
stack.  Then I affixed the roll to the bottom spool.  This allowed
anyone at any time to be able to sit down and pump the piano.  After
rewind, the roll would start again when pumping commenced.

The curators said it was absolutely the most popular display in the
exhibit.  When groups of school children came through, a line would
form.  The exhibit was supposed to go for four years, but budget cuts
required an extension, and as far as I know, the player piano is still
pumping away.

I don't know if it led to any youngsters falling in love with automatic
musical instruments, but the display at least exposed children to
a wonderful form of family entertainment. However, I do feel for the
attendants that have had to listen to the same roll for six years.

Donald Barton - Barton Player Piano Co.
Minneapolis