History of Wurlitzer Pianos
Wurlitzer became a household name for piano production in 1935 when it began manufacturing the spinet model. This small upright piano was within the price range of the growing middle class and would fit virtually anywhere. In addition to making pianos, Wurlitzer was also an innovator of organs, jukeboxes, electric keyboards and vending machines.
History
Rudolph Wurlitzer came from a long line of musicians. After emigrating to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854, he founded the Wurlitzer Co. two years later. Wurlitzer started out importing European pianos from his native Germany but soon decided he could make a better piano on his own.
Organs
In 1908 Wurlitzer built a large facility to manufacture organs in North Tonawanda, New York. Wurlitzer joined with inventor Robert Hope Jones, who is credited with many innovations in organ design. The "Mighty Wurlitzer" became the standard pipe organ used in theaters to accompany silent films. These large organs also featured gongs, bells and sirens. Smaller organs were available for churches and private residences.
The Spinet
When Wurlitzer introduced the spinet piano in 1935 it was an instant sensation. It had a full keyboard and set of strings, but was much smaller than a conventional piano. At just 36 inches high, it could easily fit into a modest home or apartment. A larger soundboard produced a sound much bigger than you'd expect from a piano of its size.
Grand Pianos
Wurlitzer's grand pianos were never meant to compete with high-end brands such as Steinway. In the music business they were known as "workhorse" pianos, similar to Kimball. The company marketed its pianos for home use, knowing that professional pianists would prefer a more finely crafted model in the concert hall. Wurlitzer pianos were suitable for practice or the occasional household cocktail party.
Jukeboxes
Wurlitzer introduced a coin-operated piano in 1896. In 1933 Wurlitzer engineers debuted the "Debutante" jukebox. In the 1930s and '40s innovative designer Paul Fuller used plastic, wood and glass to create a new style of jukebox that took the market by storm. During the World War II Wurlitzer stopped producing musical instruments and retooled for the war effort, earning an Army-Navy "E" Award for its war service. After the war consumers were mesmerized by new jukebox features such as bubble tubes and moving color columns. By the 1950s a Wurlitzer jukebox could be found in almost every malt shop, bowling alley and bar in towns large and small.
Wurlitzer Today
In 1995 the Baldwin Piano Co. purchased Wurlitzer, and in 2002 the Gibson Guitar Corp. bought Baldwin. Gibson continues to produce Wurlitzer pianos, jukeboxes and vending machines today.
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