Music by Proxy

A Short History of the Pianola

Throughout history, mankind has sought to break the toil of his existence through entertainment and music has been a central part of it. Music reaches to the heart and transcends language barriers. While little is recorded in ancient history regarding music, we do know that societies constructed instruments to perform their harmonious creations. A problem arose, however. If someone wanted to enjoy music, they must either be a skillful player, or have access to one. So began the struggle to create self-actuating instruments.

Early automatic instruments have long since passed from memory, but some record exists as far back as the mid 16th century. Automatic instruments have long since passed from memory, but some record exists as far back as the mid 16th century. Automatic instruments described at the time were rudimentary barrel instruments. Pins placed strategically around the circumference of the barrel would actuate movements that struck hammers on spinette strings.

Throughout the years, self-playing instruments have grown in sophistication and scope. Where once a small drum pounded out tunes on a hand full of stings, self playing organs and pianos filled concert halls with masterful reproductions of full orchestrations. By the mid Twenties, music boxes, barrel organs, player organs, player pianos and even reproducing pianos filled millions of homes across the states and many homes abroad. It was not uncommon for an evening party to be accompanied by Gershwin - while Gershwin was enjoying a relaxing evening of his own - through a player piano.

In the commercial field names like Seeburg, Wurlitzer, Cremona, Link and many others appeared in restaurants, cabarets, bars and arcades to entertain guests and customers at the drop of a nickel - the pre juke box entertainment center. These amazing machines are rare today but require the same restoration processes that apply to the player pianos and usually MUCH more (see "Restoration and Restoration Services") because of the extreme use they had, storage conditions over the decades, the inclusion of additional playing components (xylophone, percussions, etc) and coin mechanisms.

The advent of the Great Depression took the wind out of the sales of the Player Piano business. By the late 30's, nearly every player - piano manufacturer had gone out of business or found another line of work. Only a few high-end notable exceptions existed.

Following the boom of the post-war excitement, renewed interest in the pianos (player piano) blossomed. Within a few years, the factories were back in business - but the player took a hit in the 70's and 80's from which it would never recover. HIFI systems, with 8 - track, cassette, or CD players provided the musical entertainment people sought. They were portable, convenient, and offered a great deal more options than did the list of "dusty old rolls." In stead of just listening to a piano, audiences felt they could bring an entire orchestra into their homes through audio recordings.

Today, one factory remains, fulfilling mankind's need to enjoy good music - and helping us all recall the past fondly.