Really exotic Wisconsin

After a rather lousy beginning, day one in Wisconsin has wound up being a nice day.  While picking up my rental car, I had my truck (BLAZERFORCEONE to the initiated) checked at the next door repair shop.  It was really loud and driving a bit funny.  Long story short, it's an expensive fix, but I need it to drive safely and well...so when I will pick it up later this week, hopefully all is repaired and in good working. 

So, trying to get on with my vacation/road trip, and trying not to get too bummed over how much the past few days has run me in terms of car repair bills, I went to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo.  In addition to riding a real, live elephant (I had mixed feelings about this.  Am I exploiting this animal?), I heard and saw some pretty nifty circus music stuff.

While exploring the circus wagon hall (which sounds a bit boring, but was actually very interesting-and it was cool inside the hall) I found this:

Which was attached to this:

After considering whether or not it actually worked and if I was willing to sacrifice 50 cents to find out, I dropped in some quarters and waited for something to happen.  After a gentle roar of whooshing air, the wagon screamed to life.  I say screamed because these things are LOUD.  It is a band organ.  An automated musical device used to attract attention to circuses as they come into town and create excitement for all possible circus goers.  This was, I must say, the best 50 cents ever spent, as it made me smile like an idiot until the tune ended and a couple other people around me stuck around to investigate how it worked.  I found another one nearby, and a gentleman who watched me turn on the first one turned on this second one.  The one I played had a cheery circus march.  The second one was a medley of waltzes.  Also extremely loud. 

There are several of these types of air controlled, automated machines at the House on the Rock, also in WI, but I'd never really considered their practical use, like in circuses.  They work by air compression, like organs, and reams of cardboard or paper, that control movements of the the mallets and bellows.  Think of the reams of paper used for player pianos, and you'll get an idea about how the movements are controlled.

It is amazing to see something so innocent looking move and animate itself with such glee.  And for a moment, I was able to forget my car woes and enjoy some happy circus music.