Eagle Distributing Inc. Wurlitzer jukebox history

Wurlitzer History
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Wouldn't you like to own a jukebox with such a fascinating history?

Rudolph Wurlitzer
and the production plant
in North Tonawanda

MIGHTY WURLITZER
cinema and theatre organ

Rudolph Wurlitzer founded
THE WURLITZER COMPANY
in 1856. At first he imported
musical instruments and
opened sales outlets in
all big American cities.
He started production of
pianos in America in 1880.

In 1896 the 'Tonophone',
the first coin-operated piano,
was introduced to the market.

WURLITZER
TONOPHONE

                 1933: The first
                 WURLITZER
                 'P10' jukebox
                 with shellac records

Some of the WURLITZER
jukeboxes highlights

Wurlitzer history

            
The musical tradition of the 
Wurlitzer family can be traced 
back to the 17th century.

The forefathers of Rudolph 
Wurlitzer, who emigrated to 
America in 1853 at the age 
of 24, had already made a name 
for themselves in Saxony as 
manufacturers of and dealers in 
musical instruments. 

Rudolph Wurlitzer founded 
THE WURLITZER COMPANY 
in 1856. 
At first he imported musical 
instruments and opened sales 
outlets in all big American cities. 
He started production of pianos 
in America in 1880

In 1896 the 'Tonophone', the 
first coin-operated piano, was 
introduced to the market. 

The turnover provided by cinema 
and theatre organs achieved 
mighty heights in the silent film 
era of the 20th century. 
The 'Mighty Wurlitzer' is still 
well-known.

Farny Wurlitzer, youngest son 
of the firm's founder, bought a 
patented music box mechanism 
at the beginning of the Thirties, 
and took on its inventor, Homer 
Capehart, and a brilliant designer 
called Paul Fuller. 

This was the beginning of the 
'golden era' for Wurlitzer with 
the first jukeboxes which played 
the old 78 shellac records.
Wurlitzer quickly took over 60 % 
of the booming jukebox market. 

The name of Wurlitzer became 
a synonym for jukeboxes with its 
'Music for millions' trademark in 
this period.

1933 was a decisive year in the 
history of WURLITZER 

Up to this time the elite circles 
in America had been well served 
with pianos and theatre organs; 
now the Wurlitzer Jukebox 
became a familiar sight to every 
restaurant or bar customer with 
the first 'P10' model. After 
inserting a coin, one could select 
a song from 10 shellac record 
titles. 

In the Thirties, the jukebox 
became the 'small man's concert 
hall'.

This principle has remained the 
same up to today. The customer 
can make a selection from the 
music list after inserting a coin. 
Nowadays, CDs are in use, and 
there is a choice from over 
2000 titles. The sound quality is 
light-years better and the jukebox 
can fulfil almost any musical 
request.

The WURLITZER '1015' became 
a big hit in 1946. 

Wurlitzer had to call a halt to 
the production of jukeboxes due 
to the war in order to produce 
important war products such as 
radar components. 
The engineers, especially 
designer Paul Fuller, had 
continued to work on new 
jukebox models over this period. 
The result was called the '1015'. 

Between 1946 and 1947, 
56,000 of these machines were 
built and sold in only 18 months. 
The exceptional design of the 
'1015' had made it possibly the 
most attractive jukebox of all time. 
In all events, it was sold more 
than any other jukebox model 
in the 20th century. 

The 'golden era' of the jukebox 
continued into the first post-war 
years. 

The 'silver era' of jukeboxes 
began around 1950. The design 
was changed, the 45 single made 
inroads, and the selection from 
100 titles became standard. 
Jukeboxes with shiny chrome 
and magical lighting began to 
be produced. They became a 
fascinating focal point in any bar 
or cafe. In 1956, Wurlitzer 
produced its first jukebox with 
a selection of 200 titles perfectly 
timed for its 100th company 
anniversary. 
Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH 1986 
brought the 'One More Time' 
nostalgia jukebox with modern 
technology onto the market 
40 years after the original '1015', 
and it has enjoyed unbroken 
popularity right up to today.

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