Definition & Meaning of "pump organ"

What is a "pump organ"?

A pump organ is a type of reed organ that uses a manual pump mechanism to supply air to the reeds. It has a keyboard similar to a piano, and when the player presses the keys, air is directed through metal reeds to produce sound. The air is supplied by foot-operated bellows, which the player pumps with their feet to generate the necessary airflow. The pump organ was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in homes and churches, due to its relatively simple construction and warm, resonant tone.