The helicon is a brass instrument in the tuba family. It is recognized as a precursor of sorts to the more specialized sousaphone. The instrument plays similarly to a standard tuba, the main difference being its circular, rather than rectangular layout. Despite it being ultimately replaced by the more popular sousaphone, some have expressed preference for the helicon for various reasons:

“What’s more, the balance is much better than any sousaphone with a lower center of gravity. The helicon tuba is ideal for standing, moving in jazz performances, or on the march. It’s sound is clear and it projects better than a sousaphone.”

Henry John Distin was a prominent British maker of brass instruments in the mid 19th century. He came from a family of many musicians and ended up running his father’s instrument manufacturing company, Distin & Sons, in 1850. The company was quite successful, officially advertising as “Instrument Maker to Her Majesty’s Army & Navy” and eventually winning a prize medal at the Paris Exposition of 1867. Henry sold the business in 1868 to Boosey & Co., who continued to use his name until 1874.