A Short History of the Jukebox
It is not certain where the term ‘jukebox’ comes from, but it has been suggested that it comes from the American South where bars playing jazz and blues were called ‘jook joints’. The name ‘Jukebox’ was not commercially adopted until 1937, before then they were referred to as phonographs.
Although Thomas Edison developed a coin-operated phonograph in the late 19th century, the automatic record player was not introduced until 1906 and it was not until the 1920s, when electronically recorded records became available that we saw the kind of jukeboxes that we would recognise. The newly developed changer system was able to pick out the records, play them on the turntable and then return them to their holding place.
The early jukeboxes would have been found in the speakeasies during the Prohibition, they were heavy veneered cabinets with fabric-covered speakers. By the late 1930s they had become quite flashy, with light-up, dome-topped cabinets in bright colours and plastic would have been used for the first time. The models of this period would have been around until about 1948 and they are considered to be part of the golden age of the jukebox. Continue reading »
Filed under Musical Instruments | Tags: a short history of the jukebox, AMI, history of the jukebox, jukebox, jukeboxes, NSM, rock'n'roll, Rock-Ola, Seeburg, Wurlitzer | Comment (0)Collecting Mechanical Music Boxes
The first mechanical music boxes would have been produced in the early 1800s. The early ones, known as cylinder boxes, played no more than four tunes. The cases would have been made from plain fruitwood or rosewood, with the control lever protruding through the side of the box. By the mid 19th century lever-operated cylinder boxes could play ten or more tunes and keep going for up to three hours before having to be rewound. The cases became more ornate, reflecting the the Victorian taste for French 18th century furniture.
During most of the 19th century the mechanical music box industry was centered in Switzerland, mainly in Geneva and St Croix. The Nicole and Lecoultre families were the main producers and their mechanical music boxes were soldall over Europe and America. In London you could find mechanical music boxes in large music emporias with the pianos and other musical instruments. The tunes they played were often on a hand-written sheet insde the lid and they ranged from folk tunes to dance music. By the end of the 19th century mechanical music boxes were mass produced in cheap, transfer-printed cases, playing popular music hall songs. It didn’t stop there – the movements were sold to retailers who would fit them to manicure or sowing necessaires or other household items, such as chairs. Just try to imagine the chair playing a tune every time you sit on it. Continue reading »
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