Timeline of Yamaha Music Sirens

  • Idea of music siren conceived

    Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami grows tired of the old siren at their factory, hires a researcher to study it and design a prototype.
  • Music Siren prototypes leaked

    Music Siren prototypes leaked
    The music siren's design is photographed and documented.
  • First music siren installed

    First music siren installed
    The first music siren is installed on top of the Yamaha factory in Hamamatsu as a 12-note model.
  • First sounding of music siren

    The music siren at Yamaha Hamamatsu sounds for the first time, issuing in a new era of Japan.
  • Music siren donated to University of Miyazaki

    Yamaha delivers a music siren to the University of Miyazaki. It's unknown where it was installed.
  • Period: to

    Generation 1

    Yamaha puts the music siren up for sale.
  • First sighting of Tachibana music siren

    First sighting of Tachibana music siren
    The first sighting of the music siren at the Tachibana Department Store in Miyazaki. It seems to be a 4-note model. More than likely donated from the University of Miyazaki.
  • Matsuzakaya Shizuoka installs the music siren...

    Matsuzakaya Shizuoka installs the music siren...
    Matsuzakaya Department Stores Inc. installs the music siren at their Shizuoka store.
  • Matsuzakaya Nagoya installs music siren

    Matsuzakaya's second music siren is installed in Nagoya. It will play 'Plover on the shore', 'Annie Laurie', and 'Auld Lang Syne'.
  • Marumitsu Sendai sounds music siren...

    Marumitsu Sendai sounds music siren...
    Marumitsu Department Store in Sendai sounds their music siren for the first time, which will end up being one of the most well-known locations...
  • 1954 installs...

    Several music sirens are installed at varying, unknown points in the year.
    -TOKIWA Department Store in Oita
    -Okamasa Department Store in Nagasaki
    -Kishiwada City Hall
  • 1955 installs...

    Several more music sirens are installed at various points in 1955.
    -Michinoku Bank Odate Branch
    -Himeji Chamber of Commerce
    -Tomisuhara Elementary School
  • Daiwa installs their music sirens...

    In May 1955, Daiwa Department Stores would install two music sirens at their Korinbo and Toyama stores.
  • 1956 installs...

    More music sirens are installed in 1956, including:
    -Hiroshima Prefecture Government Office
  • Akita music siren is installed...

    The music siren at Tsuchizaki Railway Factory in Akita is installed. It will run well for 20 years...
  • 1957 installs...

    A few more music sirens are installed, including:
    -Ueno Chamber of Commerce
    -Okayama Prefecture Government Office
  • 1958 installs

    At this point, more and more cities have been taken by other music sirens. (Yamaha limited it to one siren per city!) A few more would be installed, including:
    -Isejin Department Store in Mito
    -Imabari City Hall
  • Period: to

    Generation 1.5

    The music siren's design is mostly finalized, resulting in the generation '1.5'.
  • 1959 installs...

    Just a few more locations are installed:
    -Matsuya Department Store in Omuta