If you have ever pictured a classic American jukebox, the machine in your mind probably traces back to one invention. The Seeburg Select-O-Matic, introduced in 1950, was the first commercially successful jukebox mechanism built specifically to play 45 RPM records, and it doubled the number of song selections available in any public music machine. That … Read more
Understanding how 45 RPM records work in a jukebox starts with one simple fact: a jukebox uses a specialized 45 RPM record changer that loads records onto a turntable via a picker arm, plays the selected side, and returns the record to storage without removing it from the machine. I have spent years around these … Read more
If you run a bar, tavern, or restaurant, someone has probably offered to place a jukebox in your venue at no cost to you. The pitch sounds simple: they provide the equipment, your customers pay to play songs, and you both share the revenue. But when you start digging into how jukebox operators split revenue … Read more
Learning how to restore a vintage jukebox is one of the most rewarding projects a coin-op enthusiast can take on. Our team has spent years working on machines from the golden age of jukeboxes, and I want to share everything I have learned in this guide. Restoring a vintage jukebox means returning an aging or … Read more
Walk into any retro diner, vintage arcade, or mid-century-themed lounge, and you will almost certainly spot the same machine glowing in the corner. The Wurlitzer 1015, better known as the “Bubbler,” is the most famous jukebox ever built, and it earned that title through a combination of timing, design genius, and sheer sales numbers that … Read more
If you’ve ever stood in front of a classic Wurlitzer 1015 “Bubbler” jukebox, you already understand the magic. Streams of bubbles rise through tall glass tubes mounted along the cabinet while colored lights spin behind translucent arches. The effect is hypnotic, and it has defined the look of the American diner for nearly 80 years. … Read more
The jukebox industry collapsed because technology moved on, consumer habits shifted, and new forms of entertainment replaced the coin-operated phonograph in bars and diners. At its peak in the late 1940s and 1950s, the jukebox was the heartbeat of American social life, sitting in over 400,000 locations and generating millions of dollars in annual revenue. … Read more
Yes, you can put your own records in a jukebox, and most modern home models and restored vintage machines are designed for exactly that. Whether you own a classic Seeburg Select-O-Matic, a Wurlitzer 1015, a Rowe, a Rock-Ola, or a modern digital jukebox, the loading process follows a familiar rhythm. I have spent weekends restoring … Read more
A Megatouch machine is a coin-operated, multi-game touchscreen arcade system developed by Merit Industries since the mid-1990s. It combines a touch-enabled display, a PC-style motherboard, an I/O board, and a physical security key dongle to deliver a library of bundled games to bars, restaurants, and home game rooms. I have spent years around these machines, … Read more
A Megatouch machine is a coin-operated, touchscreen-based arcade gaming system developed by Merit Industries (now Merit Entertainment), offering a library of casual games like Photo Hunt, Trivia Whiz, and Tri-Towers for use in bars, restaurants, and homes. Since its debut in the mid-1990s, the Megatouch has become a worldwide phenomenon, with over 150 games across … Read more