The Birth of the “Jukebox” (Or, “The Birth of the “Automatic Entertainers” That Would Become the “Jukebox”)
Before discussing the birth of the jukebox as we know it today, it is important to note that the term “jukebox” itself did not come about until the late 1930s. It is thought that the word “juke,” which means raucous or rowdy, originated at this time in the Southern United States, However, for the purpose of this project, we will refer to these “phonographs” or “automatic” entertainers” as “jukeboxes,” as they shared the same basic premise as the music-playing machine that would become known as the jukebox. [1]
On November 23, 1889, the first coin-in-slot phonograph would premier at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Fransisco. In its first month, the machine would earn $1,000 in nickels, and similar machines would soon crop up in surrounding areas. [1] As coin-operated phonographs grew in popularity, averting about $2 per day, Edison expressed his worry over the phonographs being used for entertainment rather than serious business. Nevertheless, the coin-operated phonograph continued to grow. [2]
Guests at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco listen to the first “jukebox,” 1889
Tony Long. “Nov. 23, 1889: S.F. Gin Joint Hears World’s First Jukebox.” Wired. November 23, 2010. Accessed October 29, 2019.
It is important to note that this “birth” was the result not of a streamlined plan to create a jukebox, but rather, the combination of new and old technology to solve a problem of lost revenue.
March 12, 1932: The [record] industry is flourshing today as it never flourished before.” – A.C. Hartmann of the Coin Machine Manufacturers Association [3]
Segrave, Kerry. Jukeboxes: An American Social History. 46.
Coin-Operated Jukeboxes Spread
The image below is of another coin-operated phonograph, the type of device that would soon become known as the “jukebox.” This specific jukebox is actually one of Thomas Edison’s productions, known as the “Edison Eclipse.” The phonograph, like Glass’s, operated after receiving a coin, at which point it would automatically play a song until returning to its “start” position. [4]
The “Edison Eclipse” Phonograph.
Musical Treasures of Miami. “6b Coin-Ops, The Edison Eclipse..” Accessed October 16, 2019. http://musicaltreasuresofmiami.com/6b-coin-ops.html.
New Genres of Music
In addition to turning a quick profit for bars and saloons, the jukebox allowed Americans to listen to and enjoy a new genre of music – ragtime. Rather than having to attend a large concert, Americans could simply spend some pocket change and enjoy the hottest new music. At this point, the phonograph and music-boxes were both pushed “into oblivion.” [5]
Of course, this music had to come from somewhere, and it is during this time period that the United States sees the birth of early modern record companies.
To learn about the rise of early record companies, please click here.
Jukeboxes: Economically Viable
By the 1920s, the jukebox made clear economic sense to many. In addition for it being cheaper for Americans to spend pocket change in order to listen to new genres of music, it was also cheaper for establishments themselves to install a jukebox, rather than hire a band. Not only would establishments save money on hiring live performers, but also, they could make a small profit from the operation of the jukebox. [6]
Even motion-picture theaters began to install jukeboxes in order to attract customers. And with increased demand for jukeboxes came an increase in the number of companies that manufactured and sold such devices.
To learn about the rise of early jukebox manufacturers, please click here.
Key Takeaways
The “Phonograph” or the “Jukebox?”
What we understand today as the “first” jukebox would not be known as a jukebox for nearly 30+ years after its invention. Louis Glass invented a form of an “automatic entertainer” or “phonograph,” which would lay the groundwork for a number of companies to improve upon and create their own “automatic entertainers” and “jukeboxes.”
Laying the Groundwork
While Glass likely could not guess that his coin-in-slot machine would become known as a “jukebox,” he, as an inventor, did understand the potential of the entertainment and music industries to be economically viable. With his coin-operated phonograph, Glass would lay that stage for third spaces across the United States to earn profit in simple ways like never before – all while reducing the costs of live music.
Notes
[1] Kerry Segrave, Jukeboxes: An American Social History (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2002), 5.
[2] Kerry Segrave, Jukeboxes: An American Social History, 6.
[3] Ibid. 46.
[4] “6B Phonographs: The Edison Eclipse.” (Musical Treasures of Miami), Accessed October 29, 2019
[5] Kerry Segrave. 22.
[6] Ibid.