Friday, Nov. 6, 1964 University Daily Kansan Page 3
Pipe Organ Works Still A Unique Art
In 1918 they built 10 pipe organs. One of these first 11 organs was installed in the Lawrence Masonic Temple. Several of the early Masons were influential in causing the infant industry's move to Kansas.
Reuter Organ Company is unique in several ways. It is one of only nine such industries in the United States, and the only one west of the Mississippi River, Unlike other industries, the methods of mass production are virtually unused by the approximately 100 employees.
Yet, A. C. Reuter (pronounced "Royter") and Albert Sabol, former pipe organ apprentices, and H.T. Jost, a wealthy photographer, were convinced that progressive Lawrence, on the railroad, would be just the spot to locate their two-year-old pipe organ industry.
When the Reuter Organ Company came to Lawrence in 1819, you could board an electric trolley just east of Robinson gym, swim in Potter Lake, and stroll along Jayhawk Boulevard, looking down on scrubby trees which had just been planted.
PAINSTAKING handwork goes into the production of each organ. Architects, musicians, and expert wood and metal craftsmen must be fully acquainted with the proposed location of the organ, the construction of the building in which it is to be installed, the building's acoustical properties, desired tonal effect, and the manner in which the organ is to be used.
THE GENTLEMEN came from Trenton, Ill., where, in their first year of production, 1917, they had produced two pipe organs. The first organ was blown away in a tornado and never seen again.
"We make nearly everything but the stop buttons for our organs," says Franklin Mitchell, vicepresident. He also explains that Reuter Organ Company has to
train its workers for their specific jobs and that it takes as long as ten years for a worker to become highly proficient in some positions.
That's what goes into preparing the parts of the organ you see. There are other skills represented in building the inner parts of the organ. Complex electrical wiring causes pressure on a key to release air to the appropriate pipe.
On the average, there are 1830 pipes per organ. Each one of these pipes is placed over a hole in a wind chest, the air reservoir of the organ. Each one of the holes contains a valve which works similarly to the bellows used to start a fire. When the appropriate key is pressed on the console, the valve pushes air into the corresponding pipe. Each of the valves is installed by hand. Each of the electrical wires is installed by hand.
Why are the positions especially skilled? Because of the many steps which go into the building of each organ. For each one of the stop buttons you see beside the keyboards on an organ there is a set of 61 pipes. Each pipe must be shaped in metal or wood to produce a certain pitch. In addition, it must produce a resounding or resonant tone—represented only in the highest quality pipe.
SKILLED woodworking is important in building the console, the part of the organ at which the player is seated, in the style desired by the purchaser.
IT TAKES about ten days to complete the building of a single organ.
Reuter employees completely assemble each new organ and check it for quality. They then disassemble it in order to ship it on to its purchaser. (Ninety per cent of Reuter organs are built for churches and the other ten per cent are built for universities.)
NEW FLIGHT SCHEDULES HAVE ARRIVED FOR
THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS BREAKS!
SPACES ARE FILLING RAPIDLY ON ALL FLIGHTS.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW!
NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR TRANSPORTATION TICKETS
CALL VI 3-1211
MAUPINTOUR
Located in the MALLS SHOPPING CENTER
STEAKS (WE DELIVER)
CHICKEN (VI3-5353)
PIZZA (WE DELIVER)
SANDWICHES
RAVIOLI
(WE DELIVER)
SHRIMP
(VI3-5353)
HAMBURGER
(WE DELIVER)
SPAGHETTI
Our Intimate Atmosphere is Open to You Till 3:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday -- Till 1:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday Don't Forget These Money Saving Weekly Specials- Tuesday — Poor Student Night (10% off All Food & Drink) With UDK Ad. Wednesday — Pitcher Night (Pitchers for 70c --- Big Discounts on Pizzas)
QUICK DELIVERY SERVICE WHILE FOOD IS STILL HOT
VI 3-5353 - 807 Vermont