Production of pianos utilizing the Wurlitzer name continued until 2009 when Baldwin ceased the use of the Wurlitzer name on newly built pianos. After this, most of the piano manufacturing was moved out of the United States to overseas facilities. In 1988 Wurlitzer’s piano manufacturing brand was bought by their longtime competitor, Baldwin. In 1973 the company sold its famed jukebox brand to an overseas company. Their original jukeboxes were a hit, however, other companies soon began to take Wurlitzer’s place in that market. – Past Wurlitzer Company Slogan Changing Times and the end of Wurlitzerīy the 1950s Wurlitzer began to fall behind in the technology race. ‘…the name that means Music to millions’. The electronic Rudolph Wurlitzer piano weighed just 68 pounds and could be transitioned into a suitcase-type device that was entirely portable. Wurlitzer was responsible for creating an electronic piano that was able to provide natural piano tone without any strings or soundboard. Manufacturing developments continued into the mid-20 th century. This was a timely introduction as many consumers during this period were looking for cheaper, smaller instruments. This spinet-style piano did a good job of replicating the sound of bulkier, larger instruments. During the 1920s, the company acquired the Melville Clark line of pianos and in 1935 introduced a piano just 39 inches in height to the market. In 1900 Wurlitzer began to produce coin-operated, nickelodeon pianos. Wurlitzer became better known for their jukeboxes and mechanical instruments rather than traditional pianos and organs. In order to overcome these challenges, Wurlitzer expanded and built the world’s first automatic jukebox, called the Wurlitzer Simplex. Wurlitzer faced many of the same challenges as other businesses in the music industry did, following the turn of the century. Powered by either steam or by hand, these organs were produced until 1932. Tariffs prevented the importation of European-built organs, so Wurlitzer stepped in to fill that gap. During the later part of the 1800s, Wurlitzer entered into the manufacturing of band organs.

Government during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. They supplied musical instruments to the U.S. Wurlitzer became one of the first defense contractors in the United States. Wurlitzer pianos quickly became well known. The manufacturing of pianos began in 1880 with the instruments being sold through the Wurlitzer retail outlets.

The company factory was built in 1861 with manufacturing focused on melodeons and organs. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company began to import musical instruments from Germany to retail in the United States.

Wurlitzer Upright Piano Wurlitzer’s Company | Pianos & Moreįranz Rudolph Wurlitzer founded the Wurlitzer company in 1853.

Wurlitzer spinet piano.