steam organ

American  

noun

1. calliope.

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steam organ British  

noun

1. US name: calliope.  a type of organ powered by steam, once common at fairgrounds, in which the pipes are sounded either by a keyboard or in a sequence determined by a moving punched card

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Etymology

Origin of steam organ

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

I don’t know if steam organs are still a thing, but if they’ve been retired then I have the perfect replacement: the Floppotron — a mammoth “PC hardware orchestra” that plays music using only electric motors.

From The Verge

To achieve the trippy circus-organ sounds on “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” Mr. Martin assembled a collection of recordings of old Victorian steam organs.

From Washington Post

Outside, the air was jocund with the incessant sounds of singing, calling, penny trumpets, the steam organs of the distant roundabouts, and all the bustle of the holiday.

From Project Gutenberg

We could see the roundabouts, the swings, and so forth, with great clearness, and even, as the wind freshened, catch a faint buzzing noise from the steam organs.

From Project Gutenberg

When the steam organ was in full blast and the horses were flying round at a merry pace, Mrs. Saumarez bent over Jim Bates and placed half a sovereign in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg