A street organ or barrel organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by rotating a barrel containing pins that operate a series of levers, which in turn activate various pipes or reeds. Other synonyms for street organ include hurdy-gurdy, hand-cranked organ, and mechanical organ. The instrument has been used by street musicians for centuries to entertain people on the streets and in public places. In different cultures, the street organ is known by various names - such as orgue de barbarie in France, Leierkasten in German, and organetto in Italian. Despite its various names, the street organ remains a popular and distinctive instrument of the street musician.