Music box

A music box is a mechanical self -playing musical instrument. In contrast, a music box is a mechanical clock that plays a melody.

There are two types for music boxes:

The invention of the music box goes back to the Geneva-based watchmaker Antoine Favre -Salomon, who applied in 1796, the principle of sounding steel blade for making music pocket ( here the origin points for the term " game clock " on ).

Each Tonzunge had to be custom built, tuned and then screwed onto the tongue bar. This was a rather tedious work. A few years later, it was possible to make 4 to 5 reeds from a piece of sheet steel, which was already a big improvement. This music box is called a segment of music boxes. Through the development of special milling succeeded a Geneva factory in 1810 to produce a game comb from a piece of sheet steel.

The game comb or Tonkamm is a steel comb with graded zinc from short to long lengths. The tines are called reeds. Each Tonzunge is tuned to a particular note. A rotating cylinder ( the slab roller ), which is staffed with steel pins, snaps on these tabs and bring them to oscillate, with a certain melody created by the arrangement of the pins.

While most mechanical musical instruments have tone generators, which also occur in hand- played instruments, it is at the Tonkamm a specially designed for mechanical instruments sound module.

The tender gambling works were a triumphal procession throughout the world. They are available in numerous designs: As a music box in wooden box, as music boxes, built in jewelry box or in boxes with dancing dolls, etc.

Swiss music boxes found most widespread and have been exported all over the world. However, a major drawback of the rolling music boxes consisted in their limited repertoire of music. Most plays a roll 6 pieces of music. As the rollers were not interchangeable, you had to - it was the music tired - buy a new music box.

• 2.3.2.1 Elevator
• 2.3.2.2 porch

• 2.3.3.1 The game plate
• 2.3.3.2 studding in several rows
• 2.3.3.3 Helical studding
• 2.3.3.4 music boxes with several rollers ( Plerodinique Music Box )

• 3.1 Interchangeable rollers
• 3.2 music boxes with two crests
• 3.3 Music Boxes with drums and extra bells
• 3.4 harmonium music boxes
• 3.5 music box with coins
• 3.6 Revolver Music Boxes
• 3.7 Duplex Music Boxes
• 3.8 Plérodiénique game doses

Disk music boxes

In Leipzig - Gohlis invented 1886/1887 Paul Lochmann the plate music box. Thus, a competitor to the reel game doses had arisen, because this invention combined the advantage of interchangeability of melodies with significantly lower production costs. The fabrication of a metal plate was a lot easier and cheaper than the time-consuming pins of a can roll.

Using a special technique, it was possible to punch hook in round steel plates. All arranged on a radius hooks are assigned a tone. The hooks per drive when playing audio to a spitzzahniges wheel, which in turn touches on the associated Tonzunge of the ridge, thus creating the melody. In this way, the comb could be horizontal and was also something against damage, among other things, protected by defective disks.

The plates could be replaced. So you could become a board game can purchase a collection of plates and in contrast to the cylinder music boxes listen to different pieces of music.

Disk music boxes had as well as the later first gramophones strong spring works as a drive; the speed was kept constant with a centrifugal governor. The lift was performed with an attachable handle. Often a control lever was available, could be switched between with the unique and repeated playbacks.

The disc music box, as the cylinder musical box, a musical instrument and just in time forerunner of gramophones, which are playback devices.

Music boxes were produced, especially in Germany and the USA. Switzerland was the development somewhat later. She could quantitatively not compete with the nations mentioned above, but the quality of the instrument developed by some clever patents on. In the age of onset of the industrialization - from about 1880 - this music boxes were produced by the hundreds of thousands and as cheaply offered that they were affordable for everyone.

The German Reich developed - in addition to the U.S. - the most important export country for mechanical instruments.

Reel game doses

Dating

In the mostly English-language literature on mechanical musical instruments, there are many indications for dating roll music boxes. Here an attempt will be made to present this information together.

The invention of the rolling music box is attributed to Antoine Favre from Geneva, the 1796 game work in a tin can, based on einbaute tongue comb and sprocket. In the following years the game works of this type were installed in signet rings, pocket watches, snuff-boxes, vanity cases and in larger form in base of table clocks. It was not until about 1820 roll music boxes were built in the shape, as they are known today. They are recognizable by their simple housing that is not veneered. The comb is not made of one piece, but from single bolted teeth and later groups of 2-5 teeth. The one-piece comb is found only sporadically before 1820, but displaced in the course of time more and more the crest of individual teeth or groups of teeth.

As of 1850, only the one-piece comb is built. The roll music boxes from this period are characterized by small enclosure, hardly bigger than the game works, they usually have 4, maximum 6 pieces of music. The base plate is always made ​​of brass. In 1840 began the industrial production of rolled music boxes, that is, there were larger quantities produced, and as a result the competition improvements were installed - such as bells and drums. At the beginning was this "additional instrumentation" hidden under the game works installed later she was visible mostly behind the roller attached. From 1870 onwards, the polished brass base plate was replaced by a ribbed cast iron plate that was coated with bronze or silver color.

The well- known manufacturers of rolling musical boxes were the brothers Nicole (Nicole Frères ). They produced from 1815 to 1903 roll music boxes of consistently high quality, which are all marked with the name Nicole Frères in the comb and bear a serial number in the base plate. Due to this serial number to roll musical boxes by Nicole Freres can be easily dated. Unfortunately, you will by any other manufacturer as accurate data on their production.

A tool for dating can also be opera or music leader, indicate the date of first performance of the corresponding plant. It can be concluded, for example, in opera and operetta songs on the earliest possible year in which the music box.

History and Technology

The move by an independent engine sprocket wheel sat in the course of time more and more. More and more music boxes were built, which had not just one, but up to four spring works. Thus, the running time of the music boxes per lift was greatly increased. Pin rollers also have the advantage that they can be moved sideways. This allows the recording of several tunes on the same roll.

There are cylinders on which up to 20 tunes are donated. However, such variety is an exception and the number of pins required varies depending on the size and diameter of a cylinder from 100 to 30,000 or even 40,000.

A clever innovation was the so-called Piano Forte Music Box. Around the year 1840 led to these music boxes with a two combs. One comb sounds loudly while the others are quiet sounds. This was achieved by the fact that the reeds of the piano comb were made ​​thinner, making them sound softer and quieter, and because you have two separate combs, may also be a more closed off than the other, and the same with long pins. The combs were alternately played what was remarkable sound effects. In particularly loud parts of the song, the two combs could also touch on. A more complex method to achieve a similar effect, for the to use a comb for sustaining long passages for the pins as piano passages. Because the Forte pins are longer, the sound is later; To correct this, these pins have been bent to the front. A big advantage of this is that each Tonzunge can sound soft or loud. Ultimately, however, has prevailed because it was a much simpler method, the two- combs system.

Soon even additional instruments were installed in the music box. Popular was the installation of additional bells plant. The bells were from a separate comb - also over the roller pins - controlled. Was also successful in combination with a harmonica. In these models, resounding tongues section were in the middle of the Tonkamms. For this purpose, a special blower was needed, which was driven by the same spring work, which also turned the pin roll ( Schöpfbälge ). Very often one on and turn-off zither effect was incorporated. This requires a special paper roll was easily pressed onto the Tonkamm via an appropriate mechanism. This is indicated by a metal strip above the Tonkamm. The spirit of invention were set no bounds. Finally whole orchestra music boxes were built. Of course, you also came up with the idea to "keep dancing dolls " the. After coin danced to the tune of little dolls in circle.

Around 1850, the first musical boxes with removable rollers came into the trade. Thus, the buyer was given the opportunity even later re-order more rolls with new melodies. These interchangeable rollers were separately customized for a particular game and can also be supplied with this. A interchangeability with the rolls of other music boxes was not given. With interchangeable rollers dealt mainly the company Mermod Frères. They eventually made ​​it a point that you could play the game rolls in all doses of the same type. Quite ingenious was the system of revolver music box. Similar to a cartridge chamber were arranged in a circle around here three, four or six cylinders. Goods played the six tunes per cylinder, the mechanism turned around a roll on.

They also produced music boxes with two cylinders - for the production of such duplex doses special precision was needed. In order to play melodies, the length needed several turns of a roller, they invented the so-called Plerodinique Music Box. Here the cylinder in the middle is divided ( ie actually two rolls ). The lateral displacement of the two roller parts does not occur simultaneously, but at a certain time interval. A roller passes, the other is moved laterally in the meantime. So melodies can be played up to six whorls without interruption.

Other examples of the many inventions of every time:

• The so-called " parachute ", which brings in a gear break the work immediately and blocked to a halt. ( Jacot 's safety check - patented 22 sept 1886. )
• The mechanical speed regulator for stepless variation of speed.

Great music boxes were made ​​smaller to tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of customers in many countries around the world. Customers in England, Russia, America, the Empire of China, India and the Orient were among the buyers of the coveted Swiss music boxes. So even Chinese or Indian music pieces were of course founded on the rollers or adapted the mood of it.

Later they built musical works - especially the later disk music boxes - in vending machines, in order to place them in waiting rooms and public places. It was the forerunner of the later (records ) music boxes of the 1950s and 1960s.

With the electric pianos, orchestrions, but particularly with the advent of the phonograph, the big game can industry went down to the year 1923. However, the crisis period of the 1930s, she survived - albeit on a smaller scale - so even today music boxes are manufactured.

On the same place where the former for princes, kings and emperors of music boxes were produced, music boxes are still produced in large numbers and selection. Sainte -Croix in Switzerland is still a household name for many enthusiastic customers all over the world.

Components

Tonkamm

The reeds

The first musical boxes sat at the individual steel blades side by side on a board. Later, several reeds were each assembled to comb sections. Already around the year 1814 made ​​Lecoultre to the Tonkamm in one piece. This steel comb facilitated the assembly. In addition, a purer, more powerful tone made so accessible. The crest of a piece prevailed after 1830. With increasingly deeper tone, the length of the reeds enlarged. For bass sounds, there were so unwieldy long tongues, so you would need to bring in big boxes the game works. A remedy was the soldering of lead weights among the reeds, bringing its length was shortened significantly and yet the desired bass notes could be produced.

The damper

War during the regular game a Tonzunge slipped from a pin, so this led as intended from vibrations. Well, it could happen ( on the roller pins = ) in two consecutive same notes that approached a second pin of the still vibrating Tonzunge shortly after the first pen. When you then encounter of oscillating Tonzunge and pin it came to an unpleasant scratching sound. This unpleasant scratching sound could be avoided if one of the still vibrating Tonzunge this quietly sat only once in a gentle way when approaching the second pin.

Served this purpose the so-called damping. The consisted usually of a fine and quite flexible wire ( damper spring from flat steel), which can put them in a hole at the bottom of Tonzunge and secured with a pin. The reeds for the high notes could already perform only short-term oscillations, so that no dampers were needed. Often, three-quarters of reeds had damper. The damper with a spring wire ( spring steel ) came to around the year 1815.

In the tiny reeds of miniature music boxes drilling holes for the insertion of damper springs that had to be extremely thin here, was hardly possible. One therefore cut out small strips of poultry feathers and attached it with sealing wax on the bottom of the tabs. Today be stuck under the reeds as a damper usually narrow thin plastic strip.

Drive

It is powered by a hand crank mechanism, for example, usually have been and will Federnwerke be used. In isolated cases, two barrels in series are connected (double the number of possible rotations) or in parallel ( double force ).

Elevator

To raise the spring mechanism of a music box, a back and forth about moving lever ( Rätschenaufzug ) were initially key with a square bore ( Wind-up as clocks), from 1875. Music playing stuffed animals often have a lift thread with a pearl at the end.

Federnwerk drives need of inhibition, it is in reel game works but usually only from an aerodynamic brake, the

Windscreen

Thus, the wound spring relaxes only slowly, a porch is mostly used. The desired inhibition is happening here on the air resistance. About a transmission of the windscreen at high speed is (usually 2000 rpm tune of 50 seconds, ie about 2400 rpm ) operated. A distinction is made between fixed and adjustable wind wings. The movable air vane are kept in position by springs, which are in equilibrium with the centrifugal force occurring during rotation. During the rotation of the lever arms rigidly connected to the impeller blades are pressed against the spring action to the outside by the centrifugal force. If the main drive spring after drawing first strongly excited, so they want to bring the pin roll into a very rapid rotation, the wind wings are strongly stretched. The then high air resistance provides a strong braking effect, so that the pin roll now does not rotate much faster than those already strongly relaxed mainspring.

The porch today's music box has almost always only rigid wind wings, therefore, the game speed with the flash of the drive spring continuously.

An exception to modern music boxes, in which the playback speed is controlled by a centrifugal governor: The weights of the controller consist of relatively soft rubber and are mounted asymmetrically with bars on the rotation axis. Depending on the speed of rotation to touch the weights by the asymmetrical connection with more or less applied pressure concentrically arranged brake track - the speed remains fairly constant.

Pin roll

Originally used as a pin roll a thin brass tube. After highlighting the individual pin holes were drilled and the pins have been inserted in a press fit. Around the year 1815 it was found that a filling of the interior was more favorable with a cement mass. It consisted of resin, tar and stone dust. With it, the pins could be secured against falling out. The music box was given a fuller sound.

The game plate

The pinwheels can be sullied in several rows of pins 4 to 12 tunes. To change the melody, the roller to move in the longitudinal direction. This is done in some models of game dishes. Researchers found a pointer, for example, on the number five. By means of an appropriate mechanism, the roller was moved laterally. Then the fifth tune was played.

Studding in several rows

Multiple melodies to fit on the roll, several rows of pins were provided in many cases. Often they were 8 to 12 rows of pins, sometimes even more. After a longitudinal displacement of the roller to another row of pins was scanned and thus also get another tune.

Helical studding

In the helical studding the roller was continuously shifted along during the game led by a screw thread so that you could play melodies that claimed more than a roller rotation. However, these rolls were still rather low.

Music boxes with several rollers ( Plerodinique Music Box )

In the intention of a long play music, you also saw before two rollers in which the melody passed each one row of pins from one roller to the other roll continuously after playing. While one roll provided the music, the other was displaced in each case along. There was talk here of the Plerodinique Music Box. In addition, there were revolvers devices ( Revolver roll music box ) for four or six cylinders. After playing a roll another roll was placed on the scanning automatically.

The housing

The housing has a decisive influence on the sound of a mirror box - the Tonkamm alone can hardly deliver sound waves. The heavy metal block, on which it is mounted to reduce the attenuation and the prevention of the mechanical coupling of the reeds, is therefore mounted on a timber wall, which in turn forms a soundboard as with string instruments. Often the wooden boxes containing resonant cavities to improve the reproduction of the bass frequencies.

The first case for musical boxes were quite simple and sturdy wooden box without ornaments. You should primarily protect the game works and even not contribute to the beautification. The cases were narrow, and the mechanical device filled the whole housing. The lever sticking it out at the front side of the housing. The springs were reared with great watches keys. Around the year 1835, the levers were inside and were closed by a door to the outside.

By 1840, few manufacturers have started to decorate their body. They decorated the cover with inlays and a glass plate with wooden frame covered inside the box the mechanism. This was soon replaced by a wood-framed glass panel with hinges, which only covered the mechanism. The control elements remained there uncovered so that they could be easily reached. Around 1860 you paid the case still full of jewelry. The inlays were precious, and you used ornate brass fittings.

Models of musical boxes

Interchangeable rollers

Around 1850, they brought out music boxes, their rolls could be replace by hand. These rolls were separately customized for a particular game and can also be supplied with this. A interchangeability with the rolls of other music boxes was not given. With interchangeable rollers dealt mainly the company Mermod Frères. They eventually made ​​it a point that you could play the rolls in all the musical boxes of the same type.

Music boxes with two combs

Around the year 1840 led to a game cans with two combs. One comb sounds loudly while the others are quiet sounds. This was achieved through the installation of two combs, have their tongues different mass - spring force ratios. The combs were alternately played what was remarkable sound effects. In particularly loud parts of the song, the two combs could also touch on. In order to achieve an exactly simultaneous addressing a particularly precise running studding was necessary. We called this musical boxes and piano - forte music boxes (piano = soft, forte = loud). Known manufacturers were the companies Nicole Frères, Lecoultre, Langsdorff, Ducommon - Girod.

Music Boxes with drums and extra bells

Around 1850, added the voices combs more and more by bells, which usually had a half-shell shape. They were brought in under the music box at the edge of the base plate. Sometimes there were up to 12 and more bells. Even small drums were added. The bells and drums had more show character. Sonically they were of minor importance.

Harmonium Music Boxes

Another additional device the music box was a small harmonium with reeds. A small crank here drove the main spring in addition to a Schöpfbalg which provided the wind pressure for the reeds. The small harmonium factory was here in the middle of the roll. In addition to the pins and bridges were present on the pin roll in this area, because the sound had to be stopped arbitrarily long. In addition, there are a few music boxes with a small flute work instead of the harmonium. Not infrequently, it was replaced long bass flutes by resounding tongues. With these additional works they sought to realize a small orchestra. One speaks therefore of orchestral music boxes.

Music box with coins

Enterprising restaurant owner came up with the idea of the musical performance of musical boxes to make money. So we constructed a corresponding coin. After insertion of the money the roller began to turn. It was the first early forerunner of the record-players boxes of 1950/1960er years.

Revolver Music Boxes

Quite ingenious was the system of revolver music box. Similar to a cartridge chamber were arranged in a circle around here three, four or six cylinders. Goods played the six tunes per cylinder, the mechanism turned around a roll on.

Duplex Music Boxes

It also provided musical boxes forth with two cylinders. For the production of such duplex doses a very special precision was needed.

Plérodiénique game doses

In order to play melodies, the length needed several turns of a roller, they invented the so-called Plérodiénique Music Box. Here, the cylinder is divided in the middle - actually there are two rollers. The lateral displacement of the two roller parts now not happen simultaneously, but in a certain time interval. A roller passes, the other is moved laterally in the meantime. So melodies can be played up to six whorls without interruption. This system was patented in 1882 by A. Jean Renaud for the company Paillard.

Sounds a perforated plate music box

" The Blue Danube Waltz " on Polyphonic, length 58 sec

"Silent Night, Holy Night " on Polyphonic, length 55 sec

Manufacturer

The main manufacturer of cylinder music boxes:

• L' Epée, Sainte -Suzanne (Doubs )
• Langsdorff
• Ducommon - Girod
• Lecoultre
• Baker -Troll
• Mermod Frères
• Nicole Frères
• Paillard
• B. A. Bremond
• Reuge SA, Sainte- Croix, Switzerland, the world's only manufacturer of a rolling program produces up today 22-144 sound, the production of 18 -tone rolling was in late 2003
• Rzebitschek, Prague
• Olbrich, Vienna
• Sankyo Seiki Mfg.. Co., Japan

The main manufacturers for disk music boxes:

• Symphonion music works, Leipzig
• Polyphonic music works, Leipzig
• Regina Music Box Company Rahway, New Jersey, United States
• Kalliope music works, Leipzig
• Original works of music Paul Lochmann Leipzig- Zeulenroda, brand original
• Julius Heinrich Zimmermann, Leipzig, Adler and Fortuna brands
• Leipzig's musical works - Paul Ehrlich & Co., brand monopoly

Music Boxes at Christmas markets

On some Christmas markets oversized game boxes are issued, which are equipped with figures. The largest of these Christmas music boxes available each year during the Advent season at the Christmas market Osnabrück.