The pianola, a pneumatic player piano, soon after became extremely popular. It had been invented in 1895 by Edwin S. Votey, president of the Farrand & Votey Organ Company in Detroit. In 1897, Votey joined Aeolian,(December 21, 1899). Aeolian Organ Company’s purchase [of Votey Organ Company]. Hartford Courant, p. 3. Retrieved April 13, 2020 and in 1900 the firm obtained the patent for such instruments.
