The Regina Music Box is a type of disc polyphon created in 1870. Polyphons are a type of music machine that plays a metal disc and operates with a clockwork motor. The inserted disc has indents that are struck by small metal combs inside, creating a twinkling-sounding song.
On display is a Regina Music Box, originally produced in Germany by the Polyphon Musikwerke company, which began full production in 1896. These music boxes were popular for parties and gatherings, as they filled the space with soft, melodic tunes. Crafted with intricate decorations and fine craftsmanship, they were both high-quality and expensive. Due to their innovative design and cost, music boxes became a symbol of wealth. By 1905, some models ranged in price from $10 (equivalent to $358 today) to $400 (equivalent to $14,300 today).
The disc music box was one of the first music machines created for consumers. It came in various sizes to suit individual preferences, with discs ranging from four to twenty-seven inches. Some music boxes were designed to mimic the sounds of instruments, including the mandolin, guitar, piano, and drums. The ability to play music on demand gave people greater freedom in their musical choices.
As the phonograph became an affordable music option, music boxes had to evolve to remain competitive. In 1903, the Regina Company introduced the Regina-phone, a hybrid music machine that combined the features of both a music box and a phonograph. However, the popularity of music boxes declined during World War I and the Great Depression, leading the Regina Company to transition into vacuum manufacturing to stay in business.