TubeNet

http://sousacentral.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post.html

I wrote a little bit about it. If you can think of anything I have left out, let me know.

Let me know what you think!

You might want to mention the first performance in the USA. Harvey Phillips was supposed to do it, but had a schedule conflict and passed it on to Bill Bell. Bell had the King factory make him an F tuba just for the occasion. There is a CD of that performance, with extensive liner notes which you might wish to quote. I have a copy somewhere.
-Art-
http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba.html

Is that particular recording commercially available or does it travel in bootleg circles?

In defense of the King Eb Sousa, I had one that has caused me to dent my shin bone, kicking myself for ever selling it. The wrap-around style Bell (and I) used was a very, very good Eb tuba, and the pitch was quite good. Can't speak to the F, but the Other post-war Ebs I've tried have playable scales; the sousaphone was the best of them though; the monster the worst.

J.c.S.