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.
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
e-mail: |
Nancy Fratti
Panchronia Antiques P.O. BOX 210 Whitehall, NY 12887-0210 USA Phone: 518-282-9770
|
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This page last updated Tue., 03 Nov. 1998 23:00 -0800 (PST)
