The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Although not a phonograph, this contraption (Karsy's Myriphon) must rank as one of the strangest mechanical musical instruments devised. It took six people to operate it (4 stage hands behind; Mr. & Mrs. Karsy in front), and consisted of 25 revolving wheels with 2000 piano wire strings, capable of producing 50 chromatic tones.

It was exhibited at the Birmingham Hippodrome(UK)in February/March 1901:

http://birminghamhippodromeheritage.com ... show-1527/

It was also played in new York (Union Square or Coney island) around the same time:

https://books.google.com/books?id=0Bmna ... on&f=false

George P.

Wow! What kind of music did they play? What became if the machine? Reminds me a bit of Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times. Or the big machine in Metropolis...

Thanks for sharing
Andreas

I'm assuming all those wheels were spinning simultaneously like parasols. It must have been quite a sight.

George P.

Another "lost" musical monstrosity...

Not unlike Thaddeus Cahill's "Telharmonium" (as in: complicated, now gone, no recordings exist, etc.)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telharmonium