ANOKA, Minn. — Microsoft was born in a garage.

Nate Otto’s garage is home to some much older tech.

“Especially if you're in 1916, it’s the top tech of the day,” Nate says as he pumps the foot pedals on a player piano.

Four more player pianos stand around Nate in his two-car garage.

“So, this is a piano roll,” Nate explains as he pulls a paper-wrapped cylinder from a narrow box and inserts it in a piano. “This contains one song.”

As the music starts, the roll unwinds into the piano; a series of tiny holes in the paper trigger keys that dance unassisted in front of Nate.

Imagine a parlor filled with guests sitting around Nate and the player piano, and you'll get an early 1900s vibe.

“I just love the sound of a player piano,” Nate says.

If only everyone else did.

“Here’s the remains,

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