I submit the hobby origins go back to early 1800's, when Maelzel
(inventor of the metronome), built the first mechanical organ,
called the Panharmonicon.  He then talked Beethoven into writing
"Wellington's Victory" for this instrument.  I'm fortunate to have
a Wayne Holton arrangement of Wellington's Victory for my MIDI W125
-- a good way to dust out the house!

Glen Jedlicka