Re:LOL. Oh yes. (Score 3, Informative)

The Hammond uses tonewheels to create the different pitches. These are wheels with different bumps on them that produce a different inductance as they spin to make different pitches. Anyway, the hammond has a "start" and a "run" switch: the "start" switch is held on to run a starter motor, just like in a car; the starter motor gets the larger motors up to speed. Then, once they were at the correct speed (which you can tell by the sound), you push the "Run" switch to the on position and that engages the main motors so that the tonewheels can be spun at a constant speed. Once everything is running, you let go of both switches and wait for the tubes to warm up. Then it can finally be played.