I recently took a step back in time to the Victorian Era to explore the world of mechanical music. I was able to hear, see and experience live musical entertainment like people did more than 100 years ago. My glimpse into the lifestyles and leisure activities of that day was courtesy of an exhibit at the Orlando Science Center called “The World of Mechanical Music: Science, History, Craftsmanship and Art.” The exhibit runs at the Orlando Science Center through January 9, 2011. Following are photos I took showing the ancestry of our modern marvels.
Boom box, circa 1924 – radios like this battery operated Atwater Kent Radio supplanted mechanical music instruments.
Ad, circa 1912 – Edison Phonograph ran a full-age ad in Everybody’s Magazine promoting it as a pleasure that never loses its novelty.
Ad, circa 1809 – Edison Phonograph ran a full-page ad in Everybody’s Magazine promoting its cost of $22 and how it plays Amberol Records and Standard Records.
Music supplies – examples of early merch, record needles & album covers from Columbia Records & RCA Music.
DJ, circa 1914 – this Seeburg Nickelodeon with large orchestration sound was found in small dance halls and speakeasies.
Record player, circa 1907 – Edison Phonograph, invented by Thomas Alva Edison. He never meant for his phonograph to be used for music. He intended it for dictation purposes.
Street performer, circa 1850 – this Molinari Monkey Organ amused onlookers with an organ grinder and real monkey that solicited pocket change.
Band in a box, circa 1910 – Wurlitzer 150 Military Band Organ, built by Rudolph Wurlitzer. He would later become the largest supplier of band instruments in America.
Jukebox hero, circa 1900 – Like its predecessor 30 years later, this disc playing, coin-operated music box played tunes for patrons of coffee houses
CD player, circa 1890 – this player would play the same disc over and over until the owner had a chance to change it.
