Optigan® Timeline
This is an evolving timeline of the events in the Optigan’s short life. Basically I’m going to put here just about anything that has a date and seems remotely pertinent. Some of the individual details may be mundane, but when you add them all together you get a better overall picture of what was happening with the Optigan® over specific periods of time. I’ll be adding more details as they surface (I’m trying to keep guesswork out of this, so there will be very little “probable” dates), and eventually I’ll turn the whole history into more of a formal historical article.
1968-70
- 1968-70 hardware R&D, early music recordings made in Cologne, Germany.
- 6/8/70 Patent application: “Disc Drive”
- 11/2/70 Patent application: “Music Instrument with Variable Amplitude.”
- 12/10/70 Patent application: “Optical Disc Drive for Organ.”
- 12/11/70 Patent application: “Electronic Organ wherein Musical Sounds and a Tremolo Effect are provided by Electro-Optical Apparatus.”
1971
- 1/11/71 Patent application: “Cabinet for Keyboard Instrument or the like.”
- 1/11/71 Patent application: “Keyboard for Musical Instrument or the like.”
- 1/12/71 Patent application: “Radiation Sensitive Readout Head with Circuit Board Construction.”
- 1/22/71 Patent application: “Organ Keyboard Switching System.”
- 1/27/71 The World Premiere Presentation of the Optigan® in the Los Angeles Room of the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. Johnny Largo is brought onboard as Optigan’s Musical Director.
- 2/71 A short, exclusive article about the Optigan®, written by organist Bill Irwin, appears in Modern Keyboard Review Magazine.
- 6/71 The Optigan® is exhibited at NAMM in Chicago.
- 7/71 The Optigan® is exhibited at CES in Chicago.
- 9/71 Johnny Largo gives presentations for a variety of magazine editors for the purpose of encouraging press about the Optigan.
- 9/22/71 Idea of Automatic Beat Counter system is proposed as a sheet music format to make Optigan’s music books easier to read by non-musicians.
- 10/5/71 Johnny Largo demonstrates the Optigan® for the merchandising department of Montgomery Ward.
- 12/71 Promotional cassette of Christmas music played on the Optigan® by Johnny Largo is recorded and distributed.
Listen: [audio:http://www.optigan.com/sounds/largo/promo.mp3|titles=Optigan® Promotional Cassette of Christmas Music|artists=Johnny Largo]
1972
- 1/1/72 Johnny Largo plays the Optigan® on the City of Compton float in the Pasadena Rose Parade.
- 1/20/72 Johnny Largo gives training seminar for Sears Music Schools instructors on how to teach their customers how to play the Optigan.
- 2/72 Johnny Largo gives a presentation for new Optigan® owners at the first Sears Optigan® Class.
- 3/7/72 Patent granted: “Electronic Organ wherein Musical Sounds and a Tremolo Effect are provided by Electro-Optical Apparatus.”
- 3/11/72 Johnny Largo demonstrates the Optigan® for snowbunnies traveling on the Amtrak Snowball Special bound for Sun Valley.
- 4/18/72 Patent granted: “Music Instrument with Variable Amplitude.”
- 4/18/72 Patent granted: “Organ Keyboard Switching System.”
- 5/15/72 Results are tabulated from the musical preferences questionnaire issued with the “New Highlight 6” packs. These results directly influenced future disc-making plans.
- 6/17/72 Optigan® is exhibited at NAMM.
- 7/11/72 Patent granted: “Cabinet for Keyboard Instrument or the like.”
- 7/25/72 Patent granted: “Keyboard for Musical Instrument or the like.”
- 9/72 Optigan® launches a highly visual point-of-purchase promotional display campaign, designed by the Selig J.Smith Company.
- 9/72 Optigan® launches the largest TV ad campaign ever for a musical instrument, produced by Carson/Roberts. The 30 second “Make Your Own Kind Of Music” commercial ran for 10 weeks.
- 9/26/72 Patent granted: “Radiation Sensitive Readout Head with Circuit Board Construction.”
- 10/72 Optigan® names Art Fromader Midwest Sales Manager.
- 11/72 Johnny Largo demonstrates the Optigan® on the “Newsday” show on KBFI-TV in Dallas, Texas.
- 11/72 Optigan® enters the holiday season by releasing the “Joyous Sounds Of Christmas” Folio.
- 11/72 The Optigan® “1972 Total Merchandising Program” wins the Best-Of-Class award at the Point-Of-Purchase Annual Merchandising Awards Contest.
- 11/72 A national newspaper article/ad campaign is run to advertise the Optigan® for the holiday season.
[quicktime width=”400″]http://www.optigan.com/media/roseparade.mpg[/quicktime]
1973
- 1/13/73 The Optigan® is demonstrated at the IHE (Independent Home Entertainment) Show at the Conrad Hilton in Chicago.
- 2/5/73 Mattel announces its plans to dispose of the Optigan® subsidiary, citing “disappointing operating results.”
- 3/1/73 Mike LeDoux announces near-completion of the “Country” Style-Pak and Entertainment Folio #3. Both of these products would not be released until after the Mattel/Miner switchover. Also, plans for generating a “Beatles” Style-Pak as well as a “50’s Rock” Style-Pak are announced. Both of these projects never got off the ground.
- 3/13/73 Patent granted: “Disc Drive.”
- 4/73 By this point, Roy Chilton has formed a business partnership with General Electro Music (the American wing of Galanti). Roy forms the Chilton Corporation to develop the Chilton Talentmaker (an improved version of the Optigan) to be produced by GEM.
4/3/73 Patent granted: “Optical Disc Drive for Organ.”- 5/73 Full page ad for the Chilton Talentmaker appears in the Music Trades Magazine.
- 6/73 Chilton introduces the Talentmaker at NAMM.
- 6/8/73 Mattel sells Optigan® to Miner Industries, which forms a new subsidiary called “Opsonar” to commence production. Mike LeDoux is the sole employee to remain with Optigan. Arrangements are made for his software lab to remain on the west coast, while the rest of the “factory” is moved to New Kensington, PA.
- 6/17/73 Opsonar issues public warning in the NAMM Daily to Chilton Corp. for possible Optigan® patent violations in regard to the Chilton Talentmaker.
- 7/73 Optigan’s software division, headed by Mike LeDoux, is moved from the Compton plant to a vacant area inside the Circuit Drafting & Photography building (Optigan’s vendor for disc production).
- 12/73 Mattel announces $13 million in losses due to the Optigan.
1974
- 3/74 Miner announces record sales and earnings for the past nine months, due in part to Opsonar.
- 6/5/74 Opsonar releases its newly revised Optigan® merchandise price list.
- 12/74 The Optigan® is demonstrated at CES in Chicago. Several prototype cabinet designs are displayed, including the “baby grand” and the “space age” models.
1975
- 2/75 A possible merger is proposed between Chilton Corp. and Opsonar which would convert the existing Talentmakers into an “improved” version of the Optigan. (This merger never occurred.)
- 3/75 Mike LeDoux becomes increasingly entangled in Miner’s process of shutting down their ill-managed Magnus Organ subsidiary on the west coast. Mike’s involvement with this process signals the beginning of the end for Optigan.
- 6/17/75 Opsonar establishes a Disc Warranty Program, which is advertised on the Optigan® dust jackets. Optigan® owners could send in worn-out discs along with one dollar per disc to obtain brand new copies.
8/27/75 By this date, all existing Optigan® discs have been produced, and software development effectively halts.- 10/75 Optigan® “Songs Of Praise” Style-Pak is released.
1976
- 3/76 The Optigan® disc-production facility officially moves out of the CDP building.
- 5/76 Vako advertises the Orchestron
Comments 38
September 9, 2009 at 10:42 am
I thought I saw a place on this site a while back for ordering a replacement motor. Can you send me a link?
Thanks,
Allen
September 9, 2009 at 12:32 pm
hi, i’ve never had motors listed on the site, but i MAY have one that will work. i’ll have to check and get back to you.
pea
November 1, 2009 at 2:22 pm
HI,
The special effects section doesn’t seem to work. I’ve taken it apart and cleaned it with electronic cleaner and a de-oxidizing
solution. The chord buttons now all work but I noticed that the little copper lines (jumper connections?) between a couple of the
pads in the EFX section seem to be worn away. Do you have any circuit boards for sale for a 35001? If not, is there a way to restore the connections? Let me know. Thanks.
Mark
November 9, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Did you ever find any motors? Or, can one retrofit a quieter motor? I just can’t believe that Optigans were produced with such a loud sounding motor. When laying down tracks during recording the motor is not heard due to the signal just consisting of what’s going through the line. But for performing at small venues, the grinding noise just sounds awful.
December 4, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I have my grandparents Optigan® Organ, which is in great shape. I’ve done some research but can’t seem to find much information about its’ value or selling it. Is there anywhere I can be directed to check? Thanks!
December 4, 2009 at 8:48 pm
hi denise, ebay’s the best place to check current prices on optigans. most typically sell in the $200-$400 range depending on a number of factors. you can also watch the forum here.
pea
February 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I was wondering if you could email me a scan or photo of the rollin’ easy cover. My aunt is the one on the cover and she died last weekend and I am trying to find this image or cover to display at her memorial this coming weekend. I just want to print a 8×10 so an emailed photo would work just fine . Please let me know ASAP.
Thank you so much for your time.
Michael
March 8, 2010 at 7:50 am
Hello
Optigon , Miner Industries, New Kensington Pa brings back the memories, both Jim Rice and I worked in the service dept as supervisors, during that period I replaced Jack Smith which I has lost touch with a long time ago. I can still see these in my sleep
March 10, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hello
I read all your articles, I do have fond memories of these instruments and I was in charge of training and setting up all the service centers in the USA. I worked in New Kensington Pa. from somewhere in 73 to 75
when they moved to NY. I know the plant well it was the old Alcoa Plant, it is still there, I still see many ex employees who built them. I too was a musician and used the Optigan® and a cheap mellatron, as Yes, King Crimson, and others were big at the time. I wish you luck in your endeavor, and it is suprizingly pleasant to see interest in this machine. Has anyone seen Jack Smith?
thank
jack
March 10, 2010 at 8:51 am
Hello
I read all your articles, I do have fond memories of these instruments and I was in charge of training and setting up all the service centers in the USA. I worked in New Kensington Pa. from somewhere in 73 to 75 until they moved to NY. I know the plant well it was the old Alcoa Plant, it is still there, I still see many ex employees who built them. I too was a musician and used the Optigan® as a cheap mellatron, although you had to adjust the head everytime you moved it,as Yes, King Crimson, and others were big at the time. I wish you luck in your endeavor, and it is suprizingly pleasant to see interest in this machine. Has anyone seen Jack Smith?
thank
jack
April 17, 2010 at 11:58 am
Where is the Chrysler Swing It Video information? And what happened to the video demo of all this that was online the ???? The page just 404’s now????
Where is the info on the chrysler ad???????
April 17, 2010 at 12:02 pm
i was getting alot of inexplicably annoying comments about that from people who thought they knew better than me, so i just pulled it all.
December 5, 2010 at 11:54 am
Janie Girl says
Will someone please come up with another Optigan® type organ. I had one and gave it
away. Now my daughter does not know what happened to it. Also if someone could sell
me a table top organ with the chords on the left.
Thank you
March 21, 2011 at 8:20 am
Pea Hicks. I saw your inquiry regarding the “Music & Electronics Magazine” tape. Not only do I have a copy of the magazine, I have an original swinkwraped package of the tape and magazine (not opened) as they were orizinally sold (premire addition). Somewhere along the way I lost a free standing copy of the tape so it was nice to hear the tape again…as recorded on the website. I would be interested in selling both the magazine and the swinkwraped copy. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you pictures of both. Bob
January 15, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Hello:
I have recently started a Yahoo Group devoted to the history of the electronic organ and welcome any photos, links and writeups on the Optigan. The Group’s name is electronicorganhistory and you are welcome to join.
Very nice website!
. . . Jan
August 4, 2012 at 10:50 am
I have an optigan®, accompaniing ‘record’ and sheet music booklets given to me in the seventies. It has not been played alot and surely needs an electronic tune-up, but I am moving and would like to give it away to someone who might enjoy it. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
August 16, 2012 at 11:36 pm
i am trying to contact http://www.optigan.com as i just purchased a copy of the optigan® manuel and am not able to down load it. the last time i tried ss i was tols i have now more down loads. please advise.
thank you. i am a new optigan® owner and have successfully been able revive a 1972 wooden console model.
January 17, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Dorothy Kalson, where is your Optigan? I am interested.
February 10, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Pea,
I had heard the Optigan® name but not the sounds themselves… until tonight. I am absolutely blow away. I am a hug Mellotron fan and have a few sample sets. I would venture to say though that the Optigan® and Orchestron outdo the Tron in terms of haunting, spooky, technicolor beauty. When I listened to the sound samples of the Orchestron, I was immediately transported back to my childhood. This was how everything sounded. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood…. Sesame St…. 321 Contact… and countless other educational films had that sound that has colored my entire musical life. I am working on a record right now for a new music project I am doing and think that the Orchestron Vibes would be just perfect. Can you point me in the right direction in order to get the sample set? I’ve searched the site but am a little confused on how to purchase individual instruments. Thanks much, Dustin
March 17, 2013 at 12:20 am
have got an optigan® and discs need to get rid of otherwise it may be trashed ..how sad.. does anyone need an optigan® slightly marred by childrens daubings with nail polish, and of course not working very well..i bought it some time ago in this state and although charmed by this instrument, i cannot take it with me
May 8, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Hi Rob
What state are you in? I’m interested in your optigan.
-Warren
December 19, 2013 at 8:20 am
I am in the L.A. area and have a model 35011 Optigan® and related discs and songbooks that I would like to sell in your “Swaptigan” forum, but have not been able to register. I wanted to list it here before posting it on EBay. Any chance the registration will get fixed in the next couple of days?
January 20, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Pea, please delete my earlier message, my email was incorrect…
Eric, I’m in los angeles and would love to buy your optigan® if it’s working. Contact me at lickerush@gmail.com with the details.
Thanks!
January 26, 2014 at 7:08 am
I have an Optigan® 35002 Organ Everything works except the left speaker.
The Organ has been in our family since bought new in the 70′s. I am looking
for a left speaker. I also have the bench, several discs and books.
Please call 206 930-1061 My name is Ed and I live in Stanton California
April 30, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Hello; just got introduced to the optigan® . How much is one worth in working condition? I am trading an old keyboard for it and want to educate myself first? seems cheezy cool if it is in working condition…thanks;
July 25, 2014 at 7:25 pm
I am trying to register for swaptigan but cannot find a registration button? I have an Optigan® for sale in the Portland Or area; help!!!
June 1, 2015 at 1:22 am
Pea, Looking for a music holder for a 35001. I see in an earlier post that your were kind enough to offer up some cabinet parts for the taking. Any music stands? I could send you a box and give you my UPS number to send it to if that works for you. Just trying to make my Optigan® complete. Thanks in advance. Bernie
December 10, 2015 at 12:34 am
I have some old Optigan® discs for sale, are people still looking for them?
January 5, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Pea, If you want a NAMM pass you need to call Q Labs and speak w/Jairo. I did some surf drums for you.
January 24, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Pea-
I stumbled on your site by accident this morning. Wow. The cheesy sound of these marvelous things brought back memories of a few wasted Sunday afternoons at a friend’s house. They had some out of tune pump organ and the family sang together – but they were all tone deaf. That connected me to a musician who was designing his own polyphonic analog synthesizer and I got to program it in Z80 assembly. It too was low budget and low fi but pretty impressive for one controlled by a 1MHz processor.
After years of reconditioning juke boxes and pinball machines, about 20 years ago I was asked to recondition two Optigans. That was pure joy. The sound was so awful and cheesy. The owner was thrilled that it sounded just like it used to! Rebuilt amps, a new motor, lamps, etc. Lots of work but it was a good deal of fun.
I’m downloading your tracks now – thank you so much for making those available. I love it when people take the trouble to save all of this tech. I’m imagining how they could be used on RFID instruments. One of my published projects is a science fair project suggestion for kids to use RFID tags to make musical instruments. It started with tuned cows but kids like burps and stuff too, so the collection of sounds is growing. If you’d be willing to let me excerpt a few of your tracks for this project, please drop me an email.
January 25, 2016 at 8:33 pm
I recently scanned an article from tower Record’s Pulse magazine (July 2000!) on the Optigan®, which mentions your site. I would be happy to send you a pdf of the scan, if you do not have this article already.
Also, did you ever release Four Organs on a CD? If not, is it amiable for purchase as a download MP3, or AAC file?
Geary
January 26, 2016 at 3:44 am
Hi Geary, I’ve got a copy of that magazine, thanks! I suppose one of these days I should scan all the old school press we’ve gotten over the years and post it all on the website. We never officially released “Four Optigans,” but now that you mention it, I ought to at least put it up on youtube or something. Stay tuned!
April 26, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Does anyone know the address of the New Kensington location??
October 10, 2016 at 1:00 am
can you tell me which disc was used for the music @ 2:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcP7lFKp1HI
thanks
December 3, 2016 at 5:31 pm
How do I find people in Minnesota that would like to buy my Optical? It has someverything water damage but works and has disks. No bench and we bought at Montgomery Ward’s inot Bloomington, MN around 1972. Thanks for the advice.
December 3, 2016 at 5:32 pm
Follow up comment “Optigan”..(not Optical)
July 11, 2017 at 2:27 am
I have an Optigan® for sale with 8 discs and 3 books (no bench). We bought early 70’s from Montgomery Wards in Bloomington, MN. I have photos but need to plug in to be sure it still works. Had water damage but still worked. No price point yet as I have to research. Message if interested. I do not pay for shipping. Prefer to sell local. All sales would be considered as is and final with no refunds-returns-exchanges. Thanks.
January 28, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Pea, i ran accross a small box of Mike’s in the attic the other day. It is full of Optigan® books and stuff. I don’t know if it will be of any use to you, but you’re welcome to it.