Interior Views of the
Wurlitzer Style 40
Mandolin PianOrchestra
Philipps Pianella Model 40 (Celesta)
(Nethercutt collection, 1998)

Interior view of Wurlitzer style 40 Mandolin Pianorchestra (Nethercutt collection, 1998).

The mechanism that provides the projected sense of animation for the Roman fountain scene can be seen in the center, just in front of the xylophone. The original cloth belt has been replaced with a Mylar belt, painted with heavy strokes and dabs of black paint. The original "cheesecloth" type of material, used, and the more occasional dabs of opaque black paint on it, were much more delicate in appearance than the replacement shown in this photograph.
View of animated scene's belt drive and electrical switching device.

This frontal view shows some of the percussive trapwork, the animated scene's belt drive and its electrical light switching device.

The component that provides the projected sense of animation for the Roman fountain scene is partially visible at left. The belt drive coming up from below wraps around a small wooden pulley on the pump crankshaft, providing motivating power. The wood reduction pulley at center, is connected to a gear that operates the animated scene's electrical switching device.

Of possible interest is the main "ventil" valve in the body of the reiterating castanets action (in front of the bass drum), which is clearly visible. By means of a slider valve on top of the castanet action, the castanets are caused to continuously operate as called for by the music roll. A "single-punch" perforation would allow for only a more or less single "click-clack" on the castanets, while a long perforation would sustain this action for as long as may be desired.

The two castanet halves are tied to the action's paddle by a cord. It is this paddle, situated between the two castanets, that is rapidly swung back and forth, causing a very realistic castanet sound.
View of animated scene's drum operated electrical switching device.

At right is the triangle and its reiterating type action. Note the slide valve (as seen centered in the triangle) that controls the reiterating action. This slider is pneumatically interconnected with a ventil type valve in the body of the triangle action. The interaction between these two valves enables long perforations in the music roll to cause the triangle to continually ring. Short "single-punch" perforations supply vacuum power only long enough to sustain a single strike of the triangle.

Left of center is the round-belt driven cylindrical electrical switching device for the animated scene's lighting effects is in the center of the photograph. As the wood drum, fitted with three rows of randomly placed pins, rotates, the three metal levers projecting out the backside are alternately raised. Prongs at the back of the levers dip into mercury pot switches, controlling several levels of lighting behind the animated scene.

The belting around the small pulley, which is in turn connected to the pulley at the top left, is used to operate a back-lit "endless" cloth strip of netting (dabbed with opaque black splotches). This moving band of cloth gives the effect of water flowing in the animated scene.
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