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Interestingly, the 45 also changed the jukebox industry.
In 1949, Seeburg shocked the industry with a 100 play machine, taking 50 78 rpm records. This tripped everyone else, who scrambled to catch up.
Then, the offered a “100” that played 45s only (and a trade-in on mechs for operators with the 78 machines - you could slide out the old mech, slide in the new mech in a few minutes).
Well, with a growing fleet of 45-playing machines hungry for records, the pop segment started to pivot to the 45.
Seeburg started to own the market.
Rock-Ola went all-45 shortly after, AMI offered both, but quickly focused of 45s, offering 78 “for locations where the music patrons want is not yet available on 45”. The last two models of AMIs that offered 78 had the same excellent sound system as the 45 machines.
Wurlitzer tried to argue that their outdated changer concept was still wonderful, but gave in after a late start and number of mis-steps (I must be the only one who likes the 48 play machines). Their number one position was forever gone, and Seeburg held the crown for a long time.
Maybe Seeburg wanted to rub it in - the later 50s machines often sported a crown logo or motiff on them. Their stupidly complex mechanism was their downfall, but that wasn’t until the late 70s
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