The Wurlitzer piano and organ brands and U.S. Wurlitzer's jukebox operations were sold and moved to Germany in 1973. As technology evolved, Wurlitzer began producing electric pianos, electronic organs and jukeboxes, and it eventually became known more for jukeboxes and vending machines, which are still made by Wurlitzer, rather than for actual musical instruments. Wurlitzer also operated a chain of retail stores where the company's products were sold. It quickly expanded to make band organs, orchestrions, player pianos and pipe or theatre organs popular in theatres during the days of silent movies.
In 1880, the company began manufacturing pianos and eventually relocated to North Tonawanda, New York. Wurlitzer enjoyed initial success, largely due to defense contracts to provide musical instruments to the U.S.
The company initially imported stringed, woodwind and brass instruments from Germany for resale in the United States. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to as simply Wurlitzer, is an American company started in Cincinnati in 1853 by German immigrant (Franz) Rudolph Wurlitzer.
