Thomas Alva Edison wanted to improve the Morse telegraph, and as a side effect he succeeded in recording the human voice on a phonograph using a wax cylinder.

Emile Berliner patented the gramophone.

The first coin-operated phonographs with two listening tubes appeared on the market.

Devices entered the market that could automatically change multiple sound cylinders. Gabel produced the complete machine, including a multiple-selection system, and this made the precursor of the jukebox a reality.

The Gabel machine, which automatically changes the “needle” before playing a record, is one of the sensationally rare exhibits in this museum.

With the introduction of the electric amplifier, the music box soon produced a rich, powerful sound that could compete with a live orchestra.

In the USA, the “Automatic Hostess” service was introduced. Requested records were transmitted from a central location to the venue’s jukebox via telephone lines.

The golden age of jukeboxes began, and Wurlitzer introduced its best-selling model, the 1015 “Bubbler.”

Jukeboxes became even more colorful and featured spectacular lighting effects – such as the famous “Mother of Plastics” by AMI.

Large and fragile shellac records were replaced by smaller, more durable vinyl single records. This marked the beginning of the “Silver Age” of jukeboxes, characterized by shiny chrome details and styling inspired by the automobiles of the era.

Jukeboxes adopted a closed design, and the record player was no longer visible. The focus shifted to delivering powerful, clear, and reliable sound — a jukebox simply had to “play well and loud.”

Vacuum tube amplifiers were increasingly replaced by more powerful and energy-efficient transistor amplifiers, making jukeboxes more modern and reliable.

The compact cassette began its triumphant rise and soon found its way into jukeboxes.

The Wurlitzer “Lyric 3D” was introduced in the same year that the American parent company closed its doors for good. However, production continued in Germany for nearly another 40 years.

In 1990, AMI introduced the R-94 / Video Star – a unique CD-and-video combo that stands alone in jukebox history.

In 2010, Wurlitzer introduced the Classic 2000 – Vinyl in response to the renewed vinyl boom. The goal was to offer a single jukebox with a real 200-record changer that was technically and sonically top-class.

Rock-Ola introduced the Harley-Davidson CD Jukebox, manufactured during the period when the brand was owned by Antique Apparatus (1992–2019).

Soundleisure Beatles Sgt. Pepper vinyl jukebox.