How a Wind Up Music Box Works

Bill reveals the engineering inside a toy music box. He describes how the comb is mass manufactured, details the spring, gears and governor that drive the box, and shares some history of early music boxes. Outtakes are included at the end of the video.

[MakersMuse]

Went into it thinking I knew how they worked - ended with mind blown over the reverse-driven worm gear and differently cut combs. Fantastic!

[nikolatesla]

Your production quality is excellent. Animations are very clean and informative. Keep up the good work.

[taofledermaus]

I go into your videos feeling cocky "Oh, I know how that works..."    but  dang it,   I am humbled each time being surprised I learned something!    Always a pleasure!     Oh,   did Bill take all his toys apart to see how they worked as a kid?

[MissKellyBean]

I got such a giggle out of the "pens" bit at the end. It is so humanizing to see that occasionally, even simple tasks can sometimes confound us ALL. Thank you for sharing that - you are so clever and intelligent that it can be intimidating; the ability to laugh at one's self is quite charming.

[HoshiHikari]

I always wondered what “the spinny thing” was! I just thought it was FOR stopping the music at will. I didn’t realize it was for controlling the speed! Wow! PHYSICS.

[nikolasc]

"..The music will resonate inside your skull." *Peers into soul*

[Nighthawkinlight]

Mechanized instruments, especially those that rely on metallurgy to function have always interested me.

Also, I sure can relate to your dialogue screw ups at the end.

[stephentroyer]

I often look at things and think, "How did someone come up with this?" This guy answers those questions thoroughly and clearly. That is awesome.

[AttyMonroe]

This is amazing. I never realized the mechanics of a music box was so complex.

[joeskis]

Now this is the way to make a YouTube channel. Immediately begins with the point of the video. No intro graphics. No explaining why you're making the video. No subscription begging. Excellent.

[Taijoedotcom]

Not only are you really good at explaining all this, you have perfect animated CGI diagrams to make it even easier to understand and aid your explanation.

You should have your own TV show.

definitely subbed.

[saturnstar]

Thank you. I just got a music box today as an early Christmas present because it kept playing its song way too fast. I knew it wasn't broken, but the governor wasn't spinning. It is missing that curved gear that makes it spin. Thank you sir.

[muffinman]

I love how perfectionist you are. Not enough effort is put into the production value on other channels.

[songs]

I just restored an old music box that my nan gave me before she died, and I've finally heard the song she heard as a little girl, and it's beautiful. Thanks for this video :)

[SpitMutant]

*puts music box on my teeth*

My skull: oh shit! It's a bop!

[Melanittanigra]

So if you were to put a music box in a vacuum it would play too fast?

[FlyingJetpack]

These videos are always so high in quality, never fail to amaze me.
And the bloopers had me rolling XD

[frollard]

That blooper expose' was hilarious!

[jaimes]

Trying to fix a music box and stumbled upon this video...just loved it! Nothing like actually finding out how something works! So intricate! Thank you!

[hYpercritesde]

i got this video in my recommandations and when i clicked i was surprised how well it is explained. plus no annoying intro, no generic background music. i love it, thanks!