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Illustration from Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments, by Q. David Bowers, page 840

An account of the Joshua C. Stoddard's invention is reprinted in "Player Piano Treasury", by Harvey Roehl:

" ... The first instrument consisted of 15 whistles, of graduated sizes, attached in a row to the top of a small steam boiler. A long cylinder with pins of different shapes driven into it ran the length of the boiler. The pins were so arranged that when the cylinder revolved, they pressed the valves and blew the whistles in proper sequence. The different shapes enabled the operator to play notes of varying length. Later, Stoddard replaced the cylinder with a keyboard. Wires running from the keys to the valves enabled the operator to play the instrument like a piano."

Here's a collections of images and articles on Steam Calliopes and Air Calliopes.  For the time being, there's no particular order. Check back from time to time for additional entries.
 
  • Wooden Whistle Calliope by Paul E. Freiling
  • Calliope and "Lady Godiva" Are Hits At Parades
  • MMD Editor Robbie Rhodes playing a Tangley Calliaphone clone
  • Harmony in Steam, an article on Joshua C. Stoddard
  • Davis Steam Calliope seen near Seattle, Washington in 1983
  • Davis Steam Calliope seen near Seattle, Washington in 1983 (Close-up Photo)
  • The IUPUI Calliope
  • Two Jesters Calliope
  • Belle of Louisville, Riverboat - National Historic Landmark Study
  • Steamboat Delta Queen - National Historic Landmark Study
  • Lake George Steamboat Company - Minne-Ha-Ha
  • C. Shannon and the Antique Reed Organs and Calliopes [ has rare air calliope pictured ]
  • Karl Petersen's steam powered Citroën station wagon [ This one isn't exactly a calliope, but it's sure nifty! ]
  • MMD Alligator Airboat Calliope 
    The Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments has been reprinted. We are aware of two vendors who are subscribers to the MMD:
    • Marty Roenigk 
    Mechanitques 
    26 Barton Hill 
    East Hampton, CT. 06424 

    Phone: 860-267-8682 
    Fax: 860-267-1120 

    e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
    Web site: www.mechantiques.com

    		   Nancy Fratti 
    Panchronia Antiques 
    P.O. BOX 210 
    Whitehall, NY 12887-0210 USA 

    Phone: 518-282-9770 
    Fax: 518-282-9800 
    e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    MMD Alligator Airboat Calliope
    Copyright (C) 1998 by J. L. Stubbs, used by permission.
    http://www.web-access.net/~airpig/
    Click HERE to return to MMD Home Page.
    This page last updated  Wed., 16 Dec. 1998 09:20  -0800 (PST)
    1. Calliope aboard Str. Delta Queen
    2. Bill Flynt Plays Don Bryant Calliope, Dallas TX
    3. Davis Steam Calliope near Issaquah, Washington USA
    4. Jody's Favorite Steam Calliope
    5. Pipe Detail of Jody's Favorite Steam Calliope
    6. Paul Freiling's Wood-Whistle Calliope & Do Nothing Machine
    7. Paul Freiling's Wood-Whistle Calliope & Do Nothing Machine
    8. Paul Freiling's Wood-Whistle Calliope & Do Nothing Machine
    9. Al Griffin & his pedicycle-drawn calliope
    10. Harmony in Steam
    11. Welcome to
    12. Mechanical Music Digest: Calliope Home Page
    13. Robbie Rhodes playing a Tangly Air Calliope Clone
    14. Wilde Steam Calliope
    15. Ernest J. Wilde Steam Calliope in Sacramento, Calif.

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