Our History
Thanks to over 115 years of continuous operation, The Original American Kazoo Company stands not only as a testament to inventive spirit but as a model of social enterprise—where every buzz supports real‑world skills, employment, and community impact.
From 1907 Through Today – A Living Legacy
In 1907, tinsmith Harry Richardson opened a small sheet‑metal workshop in Eden, NY—making stove parts, peanut vending machines, toys, and novelties. Under sasi’s ownership, the Eden facility remains a working factory, training adults with disabilities in every step of kazoo production—from metal‑forming and finishing to quality inspection. Meanwhile, the Kazoo Boutique & Museum offers tours, specialty instruments, and a tribute to a uniquely American invention.
The Roots in Sheet Metal (1907 )
In 1907, Harry Richardson opened a small sheet metal workshop in Eden, New York. His shop produced furnace and stove parts, vending machines, toys, and other metal novelties. What seemed like an ordinary local business would soon play a pivotal role in American musical history.
Birth of the Metal Kazoo (1915–1916 )
The turning point came in 1915 when two men, Emil Sorg and Michael McIntyre, approached Richardson with a wooden kazoo prototype. They asked if he could produce a metal version. He could — and he did. The partnership led to the creation of a new musical product. In 1916, McIntyre moved to Eden and joined Richardson and Sorg to begin producing about 1,000 “King Kazoos” per week under the newly formed Original American Kazoo Company.
Patent and Sole Ownership (1919–1923 )
As the business grew, so did McIntyre’s role. In 1919, he bought out Sorg’s share and reapplied for the kazoo patent. Then, in 1922, he acquired Richardson’s interests as well, becoming the sole owner of the company. A year later, in 1923, McIntyre secured the official U.S. patent for the kazoo, solidifying its place in American manufacturing history. manufacture locally.
A Family Legacy Begins (1939)
By 1939, the company had become a staple in Eden. It was then that Samuel Whetzel, the company’s lead employee — and McIntyre’s future son-in-law — took over the business. Whetzel would guide the company through decades of steady production, eventually passing the torch to a group of Buffalo-based investors.
The Kazoo Takes Center Stage (1985)
As demand for kazoos continued to grow, the company phased out other metal products. In 1985, ownership changed hands again, this time to a local family business — Brimms Inc., led by Robert and David Berghash, a father-and-son team who continued the kazoo tradition.
A New Era with Woodstock Percussion (2002)
In 2002, the Berghashes sold the kazoo business to its largest distributor, Woodstock Percussion, Inc. of Shokan, NY. The deal transferred the rights to manufacture standard kazoos and use the “Original American Kazoo Company” trademark. However, the Eden factory, museum, and specialty kazoo operations remained independent.
Preserving the Legacy Locally (2002)
Rather than selling the historic facility, the Berghash family donated the Eden factory and museum to two local nonprofits: sasi (Suburban Adult Services, Inc.) and the Claddagh Commission. Claddagh took on the gift shop operations, while sasi assumed responsibility for the factory and museum.
The Kazoo Boutique is Born (2005–2006)
In 2005, Eden resident Karen Smith stepped in with a passion for preserving the kazoo’s legacy. She purchased the gift shop inventory and business from Claddagh and opened the Kazoo Boutique, leasing space from sasi. A year later, Claddagh officially transferred their share of the property to sasi, giving the organization full ownership.
Restoring a Piece of History (2007)
With support from the Eden Community Foundation and the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, sasi undertook critical renovations. The factory roof was repaired, the museum was refreshed, and new exterior doors, gutters, fascia, and awnings gave the building new life — preserving it for generations to come.
Still Humming Along (2025 and Beyond)
Today, more than 100 years since its founding, the Original Kazoo Company remains the only original metal kazoo factory in the world. sasi continues to operate the factory with care and purpose, while Karen Smith keeps the museum and boutique alive. Together, they ensure the kazoo’s unique story continues to resonate in Eden and beyond.