Johnson Smith Catalog Item #27

This steampunk-style item, the "Rolmonica," is from the 1930s catalog. Blow and crank your way to musical bliss!

Available song rolls after the jump.

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 23, 2012
Category: Johnson Smith Catalog | Music | Technology | 1930s

Comments

And one must wonder why this didn't catch on!

Growing up the old couple next door had a player piano and I can remember stretching hard to reach the peddles. They (player pianos) actually produced melodious sounds.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/23/12 at 11:57 AM

Paul and his "pocket toys" .. hehehehehe :gulp:

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 11/23/12 at 02:09 PM

I wonder how many of those are left out there.

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 11/23/12 at 08:23 PM

@Patty : Well most of us are right handed and the "left" does feel different

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 11/23/12 at 08:40 PM

These really should be made again. I can see them taking off, possibly through 3D printing. Seems the rolls would be the challenging part.

Posted by Bengt on 11/24/12 at 12:11 PM

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.