This instrument was built in Chicago by the Mills Novelty Co. This particular instrument was known as the “shipboard model” as it uses springs in locations where standard units use weights. This instrument uses spinning discs of rosin to play the violin strings, each driven separately. The piano is mounted behind the violins, and because there is no direct mechanical linkage to the strings, as with traditional pianos Mills arranged the strings in a symmetrical pattern to distribute the tension load of the strings evenly.