Wurlitzer

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to as simply Wurlitzer, was an American company started in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1853 by German immigrant Rudolph Wurlitzer. The company originally imported stringed, woodwind and brass instruments from Germany for resale in the U.S. Wurlitzer enjoyed initial success largely due to defense contracts to provide musical instruments to the U.S. military. In 1880 the company began manufacturing pianos. Eventually the company relocated to North Tonawanda, New York and quickly expanded to make band organs, orchestrions, nickelodeons and pipe or theatre organs popular in theatres during the days of silent movies.

Over time, Wurlitzer acquired a number of other companies which made a variety of loosely related products including kitchen appliances, carnival rides, player piano rolls, and radios. Wurlitzer also operated a chain of retail stores where the company's products were sold.

As technology evolved, Wurlitzer began producing electric pianos, electronic organs, and jukeboxes and eventually became known more for jukeboxes and vending machines, which are still made by Wurlitzer, than for actual musical instruments.

List of Wurlitzer Band Organs

Known band organ models once produced by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, USA and information regarding currently active models and their locations include:

"The Mammoth" Wurlitzer Military Band Organ, #160, American Treasure Tour

"The Mammoth" Wurlitzer Military Band Organ, #160, American Treasure Tour

Wurlitzer 125 Band Organ. The early model 105 would appear identical to this, but without the drums

Wurlitzer 125 Band Organ. The early model 105 would appear identical to this, but without the drums

Wurlitzer 105 Band Organ, late model (Christmas decorated)

Wurlitzer 105 Band Organ, late model (Christmas decorated)

See also

References