1 barrel piano | Definition of barrel piano

barrel piano

noun

Definition of barrel piano

: a mechanical piano that is operated by turning a hand crank which rotates a barrel-and-pin mechanism causing hammers to hit the piano strings A British patent was issued for a crude barrel piano, activated by pins on a large cylinder, in 1829.— Edward Tenner, Our Own Devices, 2009

called also hurdy-gurdy, piano-organ, street piano

First Known Use of barrel piano

1859, in the meaning defined above

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