I have read with interest the various ways that MMD'ers were introduced
to the fabulous world of these musical machines.  I have my own story
to tell, and someday my grandson Jacob will have his.

He was first introduced to my collection when he lay flat on his little
back, having his pants changed on our makeshift changing table, a large
wooden chest of drawers.  At barely a month old, he picked up on the
strong resonance of a small 2-tune Thorens box a foot or so from his
head, playing a couple of airs from Magic Flute, and he would hold
perfectly still, eyes wide.  As he grew, we slowly moved our way into
the bigger machines, being sensitive to avoid the ones that "shock &
awe" (horrible phrase, but you know what I mean).  At three months, he
would sit propped up in the corner of the couch while I played a large
cylinder box right next to him that happens to have a very gentle and
sweet tone.  A video of him from that time shows his reaction, hands
waving and feet kicking, smiling and burbling with pleasure.

By the time Jacob was a year old, he had developed very specific tastes
and would ride my hip with excitement, pointing around the room at the
ones he wanted to hear, some favorites being the MBSI convention favor
that plays a band organ sample of "California Here I Come," the bird in
the cage, the single-comb Regina (who knows why?), and most of all, the
Pianola.  Now, at around sixteen months, he continues to refine his
tastes.  Riding me around the room, he stops us in front of the Roller
Organ and makes a twisting motion with one hand, reaching for the
crank.  He would like to wind the boxes, but I point out to him that
the winders can be pretty stiff and also do not necessarily need to be
wound every time we play them.  Our session with the Pianola can go a
half hour if we have time.  He adores the cuckoo clock.  He has been
given a small cylinder box in the shape of an old radio, to hold in his
own hands and turn "on" and "off."  Sometimes he's so overwhelmed with
love, he hugs it close to him and just beams.  We put it back on the
shelf when we're done.

It will take a few years, but I wonder, when I watch him, whether
something hasn't been set in motion by this exposure.  Granted, with
our childcare routine, he's been here every week since he was born; but
I've never seen a baby so interested in how things work!  His world is
full of zesty little routines involving turning, switching, opening and
closing, winding -- but not just with toys.  If the pendulum clock in
the kitchen is not going when he gets here, we must start it up: Bong
Bong!!'  He must explore everything from light switches to microwave
touchpads to the brakes on his high chair.
 
Claudine & Jacob (next generation!)
SF Bay Area