The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical musical instrument developed in Birmingham, England, in 1963. It is played by pressing its keys, each of which causes a length of magnetic tape to contact a capstan, which pulls it across a playback head. As the key is released, the tape is retracted by a spring to its initial position. Different portions of the tape can be played to access different sounds.
A Mellotron Mk VI
The Mellotron M400 has a removable tape frame that can be replaced with another containing different sounds
A Mellotron M400 tape frame as removed from the instrument
The simplified control panel of the M400
David Porter Nixon was an English magician and television personality. At the height of his career, Nixon was among the best-known magicians in the UK.
David Nixon (magician)
Comic Heritage plaque, Teddington