Magnus Harmonica Corporation

The Magnus Harmonica Corporation (originally the International Plastic Harmonica Corporation) was founded in 1944 in New Jersey by Danish immigrant Finn Magnus (1905–1976).

[1] First supplying American troops in World War II, and later marketed to children and other beginners, the company's harmonicas (as well as its accordions, bagpipes, and mechanical reed organs) used a then-unique molded-plastic reed comb.

The styrene-based plastic construction resulted in lower cost, greater durability, and a distinct sound compared to other free reed aerophones with metal reeds.

[2][3][4][5][6] In 1958, Magnus joined with television salesman Eugene Tracey, and their company went on to sell millions of inexpensive electric chord organs and song books[7][8] until the late 1970s under the name Magnus Organ Corporation.

[9] At its peak, Magnus employed over 1,800 workers in Linden, New Jersey, including a "mother's shift" during school hours and a "work release" program for non-violent inmates of the nearby Rahway State Prison.

Magnus Chord Organ Model 300
Magnus Chord Organ Model 670
Magnus Chord Organ Model 890
Magnus Chord Organ, Chord Pad, Model 890
Magnus Chord Organ Model 890, manufacturer stamp
Magnus Chord Organ Model 890, inside blower detail