Ro-Tone-Ola




Email contents from Ken Vinen:.

 
I have just last November, moved to live in Aylmer and quickly got involved with the Historical Committee and the local Museum.  At the museum I found an in house publication ($3.00) about J.T. Rowe (1857 - 1934) - Aylmer Organ/Phonograph Manufacturer.  In it there is interesting material on the Ro-Tone-Ola Phonograph, Okeh & Gennett Records and mention of another dealer selling Columbia and McLagen machines.  Prices from 67.50 to $200.00!

The museum publication had a few picture adds from old news papers and some interesting things such as the Rowe company was installing electric power in 1921 to replace the gasoline engine that was used to run the factory.  This would aid to ease the work load caused by the manufacturer of the Ro-tone-Ola, and also radio cabinets.  They also built some furniture and sold appliances such as electric lamps and fixtures.
 
While it was a fascinating time, the story is the same in all small Ontario towns.  Almost every finish cabinet maker built organs!  A lot went on into making pianos and then, all connected to their skills in cabinet making, they made phonograph's, radios, furniture etc.  They had to keep finding things to make as styles and product demands changed.
 
This was a time in history when you could buy all the insides for a piano and just make the cabinet.  These were called stencil pianos as any name could be put on them.  Same with phonograph's.  You bulk purchased motors and tone arms and styled and built the rest in your own cabinet shop. 






 


Back