Entertainment for Diners

 

Commercial success for the phonograph and recorded sound could be said to have begun on November 23, 1889 when the first jukebox was introduced at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco. In the 1890's coin-in-the-slot phonographs would be found in other public spaces like hotels, ferry and railroad stations, restaurants and phonograph parlors where multiple phonographs were available for listening.

This gallery features dining outside your home and music, courtesy of the phonograph.

 

The Phonogram, April 1901

 

An article from The Talking Machine World in May 15, 1907 highlighted the business advantage of providing talking machine entertainment in quick lunch counters.

 

Postcard of the Alfred Gerlach Hotel and Bakery with dining area, Germany circa 1920

 

 

Hovorkova Restaurant, Ryknovek, postmarked 1925

 

 

 

Photograph of Wisconsin Sweetshop circa 1915 with Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph ©2018 Phonographia.com

 

Edison Phonograph Monthly, April 1915

 

 

 

Edison Phonograph Monthly, September 1915

 

 

 

 

Russia Restaurant RPPC, circa 1912

 

 

1909 Pathé Concert No. 3 coin-operated phonograph for cafes and public-space entertaining (Courtesy Historadio Magazine, April 2016)

 

 

 

 

Talking Machine at the Soda Fountain, The Talking Machine World, June 1908

 

 

 

 

Lounging Room, Elks Club, postcard 1908

 

 

 

 

Real Photograph Postcard (RPPC), Bisbee Pharmacy, Bisbee, N.D. 1919

 

 

 

 

Guests in Bosnian coffee house listen to gramophone, postcard ca. 1920

 

 

 

Large horn for phonograph in Paris cafe, c.1930 - Photograph by Jean Collas

 

 

Recorded music would continue to be heard in public places but in the 1930's through the 1960's the jukebox became a major performer for restaurants and burger joints and soda shops throughout the USA.

A Record with their Meal

Diners making a tabletop coin operated music selection. 1941 (News/media agency archive file reprint) (1)

 

 

 

Wurlitzer Music, 1947 magazine advertisement

 

 

 

Wurlitzer Music, 1948 magazine advertisement

 

 

 

An early competitor to the jukebox was coin-operated player pianos like the Peerless Coin Operated piano. Advertised in The Talking Machine World, December 15, 1907, it was said there "is no medium on earth to compare with these instruments...Our Peerless has been tried in cafes, billiard parlors, drug stores, candy stores, etc. and in every case has it proven a success."

 

 

 

Multiple TVs became the dominant medium for the entertainment of patrons in restaurants and sports bars in the 21st century.

 

 

 

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