Manufacturing Music

J.M. Syken

Course Outline

Through the viewing of an archival/documentary film produced in the early 1950s by The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, we will examine the design and manufacture of their signature product; a coin-operated phonograph (a.k.a. “Jukebox”).

We will examine the history of the company starting with its founding in 1856, prototyping and modeling a new design, raw material requirements/processing, plant operations, component parts, assembly, testing etc. leading to the mass production of a new model Jukebox.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Understand/appreciate the origins of the Wurlitzer Company;
• Understand/appreciate the processes involved in designing/prototyping/modeling a new Jukebox design;
• Understand/appreciate the raw material requirements for manufacturing a Jukebox;
• Understand/appreciate the machine tools, testing equipment etc. required to manufacture a Jukebox;
• Understand/appreciate the skill levels required of the various craftsmen involved with the manufacture of the cabinet and/or component parts of a Jukebox; and
• Understand/appreciate the mass production techniques involved with producing a high-quality product such as a Wurlitzer Jukebox.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.

Benefit to Attendees

The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the design and manufacture of a complex and important 20th Century consumer product

Course Introduction

The course incorporates the viewing of an archival/documentary film produced in the early 1950s. It introduces the viewer to the history/background of The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company and the design/manufacture at their North Tonawanda, NY plant of their premier product: the Wurlitzer Jukebox.

Course Content

TITLE: A Visit to Wurlitzer (ca.1950)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/0404_Visit_to_Wurlitzer_A
DURATION: 40:23

Course Summary

The design and manufacturing methods used by the Wurlitzer Company to produce a Jukebox is a fascinating study of how old and new technologies came together in the middle of the 20th Century to produce one of the highest quality consumer products of the era. It is a testament to the engineering prowess and skill of the American worker in a by-gone time.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Wurlitzer

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

---

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

---