Apollonicon

/ˌæp.əˈlɑn.ɪ.kən/ noun

Definition

A large mechanical musical instrument invented in the early 19th century, playing multiple types of compositions automatically.

Etymology

From 'Apollon' (Apollo) with the suffix '-icon' (device or instrument), named after the god of music. Created by British inventor John Hazel in the 1820s.

Kelly Says

The Apollonicon (1825) was basically the synthesizer of its day—a mechanical wonder that played orchestral music automatically, and it took up so much space it needed its own building at an opera house!

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