Calliope

A calliope is a musical instrument. It is played with a keyboard, and sends steam though whistles to make sound. Joseph Stoddard of Worcester, Massachusetts invented the calliope in 1855. The calliope is sometimes called the "steam organ" or "steam piano." It was often played on riverboats and in circuses.

Even the smaller calliopes give off a sound that can be heard for miles around. This has often led to complaints by the neighbors.

But the chances of hearing a calliope are slim because most of them disappeared with the fading away of the age of steam. As the internal combustion engine replaced steam boilers as a source of power it became difficult to find a steady, cheap supply of medium-pressure steam to power a calliope. Eventually the skills needed to tend or repair a steam boiler giving the required pressure also became less widespread. Only a few working caliopes have survived, and they are not used often.

Whereas Stoddard had originally intended the calliope to be used as an instrument to replace ringing bells at churches, it found its way to riverboats and showboats at the height of their era. Today, only several steamboats exist, but nearly each one has a steam calliope. These boats include the American Queen, Belle of Louisville, Delta Queen, Julia Belle Swain, Mississippi Queen, and Natchez. These calliopes are played on a regular basis on river excursions.

In Greek mythology, Calliope ("beautiful-voiced") was the muse for epic poetry. She had two sons, Orpheus and Linus with Apollo. She was the oldest and wisest of the Muses. She was the judge in the argument over Adonis between Aphrodite and Persephone. She was represented by a stylus and wax tablets.

The Nine Muses / Greek Mythology

Calliope is a shire in Queensland, Australia.

"Calliope" is a song by Tom Waits.