How Technology Has Evolved The Jukebox

Those with a great love for music would be more than familiar with the Jukebox. This is not really surprising considering that the new age Juke Box is predominantly a device for playing music and continues to be a coin operated machine.

HISTORY REVISITED

Jukeboxes are not new to man. In fact, it was way back in the year 1889 that Louis Glass and William S. Arnold placed the first coin - operated phonograph in the Palais Royale Saloon San Francisco. The Jukebox came equipped with four listening tubes. This is because it did not have an amplification option available. Statistics indicate that it went on to make $1000 in revenue in the first six months of operation.

STATS AND FACTS

Statistics indicate that the 1950s witnessed an exponential growth in numbers across the US. The numbers peaked at 750,000 machines at one point in time. The 1970s and 1980s were decades of dip with a revolutionary resurgence with the advent of compact disc technology. The present day demand for jukeboxes stands at an impressive 250,000 across the US.

THE EVOLUTION

The concept of paying to listening to the music of your choice was indeed novel. The rising popularity of this fascinating music device could well be attributed to the impressive amplification that jukeboxes possessed. They even had an impressive sound throw which was audible up to 65 blocks away. In their heyday the music discs that jukeboxes used stored the latest song releases first and were indispensable machines for music lovers across the US.

Changing technologies and easy access to the music of one’s choice resulted in a transient demise of jukeboxes as known to the patrons of yesteryears. While the traditional jukebox has lost appeal and positioning in the likes of music arcades, restaurants and Laundromats, they continue to be popular in bars.

MUSIC MECHANICS

There is more to the classical jukebox than the mere insertion of a coin and selecting a song. To further elaborate, the jukebox would first test the coin for authenticity and ensure that the appropriate amount was paid before a song selection would become available.

Concurrently a push button start on the jukebox activates the right record selection which then begins to play like any ordinary record in a record player. The difference is the speakers that are connected to the jukebox.

While the push button activates the device, it is the playback mechanism which would ensure that the right record selection is made. To illustrate the case in point, a selection of three songs would require the camera within to select three records in the sequence selected. It is very fascinating that once the first record begins to finish, the second record is lowered so that it rests on the rotating wheel and thus the changeover happens.

THE CONTEMPORARY JUKEBOX

The new age contemporary jukeboxes are a subtle blend of aesthetics of the past and new age technology. It is no surprise that retro styled jukeboxes come complete with flashing lights, plenty of colour and state of art technology. While some would find the old time charm in these big and bold machines mesmerizing, the sound throw is comparable to the best digital technology that can be found in present times.

My TouchTunes jukeboxes are everywhere, but aren't alone in the race for the most dynamic music delivery in clubs and pubs.