The history of the legendary Wurlitzer company began in 1659, in Saxony, where Nicolaus Wurlitzer crafted lutes, laying the foundation for a great musical dynasty. In 1853, his descendant, Rudolph Wurlitzer, a German immigrant, founded the company in the United States. Evolving from supplying musical instruments to the American army during the Civil War to creating revolutionary player pianos, the Company rapidly became a driving force in the industry.

In the 20^th century, the company achieved two cultural breakthroughs. The first triumph was the "Mighty Wurlitzer" – a legendary giant organ that became synonymous with the silent film era, creating a unique musical atmosphere in cinema halls of the 1910s and 1920s. The company's second iconic milestone was its line of jukeboxes, most notably the famous Model 1015 "Bubbler." In the 1930s–1950s, these music machines took public spaces worldwide by storm, from cozy bars to grand hotels. With a production run exceeding 750,000 units, they became the ultimate symbol of American pop culture and a benchmark of the golden age of industrial design.

Despite this expansion, the company never forgot its background, remaining the largest dealer of rare Stradivarius violins and a manufacturer of legendary clarinets for many years. Having successfully weathered the era of corporate mergers and come under the wing of the renowned Gibson Guitar Corporation, the brand preserved its legendary name and identity.
Nowadays, authentic Wurlitzer jukeboxes are still handcrafted, transforming iconic musical history into the centrepiece of private collections.

You can explore the history of the company and its iconic Wurlitzer models on the museum Collection website.