> The organ is, together with the clock, the most complex of all mechanical instruments developed before the Industrial Revolution
Or to put it more strongly: the most complex machines on the planet for roughly 2000 years. The starting point usually acknowledged is Ctesibius's hydraulis, an organ with a simple automatic pump (no calcant or animal labour required) and pressure regulation. That was about 250BC. They were still producing innovations well after the industrial revolution, e.g. pneumatic relays.
Or to put it more strongly: the most complex machines on the planet for roughly 2000 years. The starting point usually acknowledged is Ctesibius's hydraulis, an organ with a simple automatic pump (no calcant or animal labour required) and pressure regulation. That was about 250BC. They were still producing innovations well after the industrial revolution, e.g. pneumatic relays.