Who doesn’t love a calliope? The sound of the mechanical fairground organ is music to everyone’s ears. A staple of many amusement rides, there is also a mobile variety that can be towed or driven from venue to venue. Some units are steam-powered; more recently, air-powered calliopes are commonly used. One of these is the calliaphone invented by Norman Baker, the name of which is now a trademark of Miner Manufacturing Company in Donnelson, Iowa, makers of the Tangley Calliaphone.

This Calliaphone unit was built for the Merrick Auto Museum by Miner Manufacturing. It is mounted on a period Model T Ford chassis. It operates with compressed air, which is forced into organ-like pipes. The tune is played with a paper roll like that of a player piano. This Calliaphone was built in 1997; the Model T engine dates from 1921, but other elements, particularly the brass parts, are earlier. It drives like a Model T, though, and makes music wherever it goes.