The Phonograph.

The American inventor Thomas Alva Edison originally aimed to improve the telegraph and Morse communication systems. During this work he made a groundbreaking discovery: it became possible to record and reproduce the human voice.

The Gramophone.

In 1887, the German-American inventor Emile Berliner patented the gramophone, laying the foundation for the modern record industry.

Early Coin-Operated Phonographs.

In the late 19th century, the first coin-operated phonographs appeared, making recorded music available as paid public entertainment.

Early Multi-Selection Music Machines.

Toward the end of the 19th century, machines appeared that could automatically switch between multiple phonograph cylinders. This innovation allowed several recordings to be stored and played within a single machine.

Automatic Needle Changing – A Technical Innovation.

One remarkable feature of early music machines is the automatic needle changing mechanism. A machine developed by Gabel with this system is among the exceptionally rare exhibits in this museum.

Introduction of Electrical Amplification.

With the introduction of the electrical amplifier, a new phase began in the development of music machines and jukeboxes.

Western Electric „Selectraphone“.

The Selectraphone by Western Electric represents an early attempt to create music machines with an automatic record selection system.

AMI „F“.

The AMI “F” is one of the important early jukeboxes of the 1930s and represents a significant technical advancement.

Wurlitzer „P10“.

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company had been producing mechanical musical instruments since 1856, including orchestrions, player pianos, and theatre organs.

Capehart CA10-20.

The Capehart CA10-20 is one of the technically most interesting jukeboxes of the late 1930s.

Louis Novelty „Studio 892“.

The “Studio 892” by the American manufacturer Louis Novelty Co. is a remarkable jukebox from the late 1930s, both technically and visually.

Gabel „Kuro“.

The Gabel “Kuro” is one of the rarest jukeboxes of the early 1940s. Only about 24 machines of this model were built.

Automatic Hostess – Early Music Transmission via Telephone Lines.

In the United States, the “Automatic Hostess” system became one of the most unusual innovations in the history of music machines. In this system, records were played in a central location and transmitted via telephone lines directly to restaurants, bars, or cafés.

Rock-Ola „Tone Columns“.

The Rock-Ola “Tone Columns”, produced between 1941 and 1942, represented an unusual concept designed to improve sound distribution in jukebox systems.

Wurlitzer 1015 “Bubbler”.

With the Wurlitzer 1015 “Bubbler”, the golden age of jukeboxes truly began. This model became the best-selling jukebox in history and a symbol of the post-war era.

Design Revolution – “Mother of Plastics”.

During the 1950s, jukeboxes became more colorful, eye-catching, and spectacular in design. One of the most famous examples was the AMI “Mother of Plastics.”

Vinyl Singles and the “Silver Age” of Jukeboxes.

With the introduction of the vinyl single record, a new era in the history of music machines began. The large and fragile shellac records were gradually replaced by smaller, more durable, and longer-lasting vinyl records.

Wiegandt „Diplomat A.

The Wiegandt “Diplomat A” is one of the most technically interesting European jukeboxes of the 1950s.

Wurlitzer „2000 Centennial“.

With the Wurlitzer 2000 “Centennial”, introduced in 1956, Wurlitzer presented its first jukebox offering 200 selections. The model was developed by engineer Michael J. Corbett.

From 1960 – AMI “Continental” and the Space Age.

With the AMI Continental 1 (1960) and the Continental 2 (1961–1962) a new design era of jukeboxes began. These machines reflected the spirit of the early Space Age, strongly influenced by space exploration, technological optimism and futuristic styling.

Closed Cabinet Design and Improved Sound.

During the 1960s, the appearance of many jukeboxes changed significantly. Machines increasingly adopted a closed cabinet design, where the turntable and mechanical parts were no longer visible.

Transistor Amplifiers and Competition from Discotheques.

During the late 1960s and 1970s, traditional tube amplifiers were increasingly replaced by transistor amplifiers. This new technology made jukeboxes more powerful, reliable, and energy-efficient.

The Music Cassette in Jukeboxes.

With the success of the Compact Cassette, a new technological development also reached the world of music machines. The audio cassette began to appear in some jukebox systems.

Wurlitzer “Lyric 3D”.

The Wurlitzer “Lyric 3D” was one of the notable models of the later Wurlitzer generation. At that time, jukebox production in the United States had already ended, but manufacturing continued in Germany.

Wurlitzer „Tele Disc“.

The Wurlitzer “Tele Disc”, introduced in 1983, is one of the most unusual jukeboxes of the late jukebox era. Due to its distinctive round shape it quickly received the nickname “Flying Saucer.”

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.