I took this photo while on a family vacation in 1986. The large mechanical contraption shown here, is an automatic music machine called a "Band Organ". These large music machines are practically a self contained mechanical orchestra. These large mechanical bands were used primarily on Merry Go Round rides at amusement parks and travelling carnivals. The machine is operated by a large electrical motor and air compressor, and the music is played through a special folding book, with pages that have holes and grooves of different sizes and shapes much like an antique player piano. This machine has drums -woodwinds -organ pipes -and attractive miniature figurine sculptures that are animated mechanically. This band organ music machine is demonstrated to the public, at the Dutch Village Park, wich is located in the city of Holland Michigan USA.Mechanical band organs were populair during the late 1800's and early 1900's in America.
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