Music box

A Music box (also known as a musical box) is a type of automated musical instrument. It makes sounds by means of a set of pins strategically placed on a revolving cylinder or disc. This rotates and plucks the tuned teeth of a steel comb producing the ‘tune’ according to the placement of the pins on the cylinder. They were popular in the 19th and 20th centuries and originated from the earlier musical snuff boxes of the 18th century.

More complex music boxes include a tiny drum and/or bells in addition to the steel comb. The metal cylinders were powered by a spring which was wound (clockwork). In 1862 Paillard invented a model which was perfected by Geneva based Metert, where the cylinders could be swapped in and out to vary the tunes being played. Some models also had up to four springs so the musical box could play for as long as three hours.