Belloneon

The Belloneon is an early example of a self-playing machines with free reeds for tone.

Johann Gottfried Kaufmann and Johann Friedrich Kaufmann built such an instrument for the first time in 1805.

Technical Description

This had 24 by beating tongues of metal and trumpet- like resonators. An accompaniment with two drums. This free reeds allowed both loud as well as soft music passages. The instrument was installed in a mahogany wood cabinet. The upper part of Belloneons presents a war verse in the middle are placed 24 trumpets; below two pot drums and the corresponding batons are installed. It plays dance music and marches, with exceptional perfection.

The German Museum in Munich has a Belloneon.