Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Robert Hope-Jones book

I just acquired a used copy of Robert Hope-Jones biography (through Amazon - they may have more.) The first thing I looked up was his suicide because of Walt Strony's comment in his own book that Robert Hope-Jones invented many things, including some interesting methods for suicide. It was interesting. I have now started reading from the beginning of the book. He was very forward thinking... and his competition did not like him. Many of his ideas for organs flew in the face of traditionalists. He appears to have been considered in his time much like the "toaster salesmen" of today who sell digital organs. In face he envisioned an organ with all sounds electronically generated... close to 50 years before the Hammond organ. The author, David H. Fox was very precise and thorough in his research. It is an interesting book.

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