Name/Title
Eisemann “Meteor” – Coin-Operated Phonograph from StuttgartEntry/Object ID
102Description
Ernst Eisemann & Co., Stuttgart – ca. 1900
Only known surviving example worldwide
Historical Background and Significance
The “Meteor” is an exceptionally rare example of an early German coin-operated phonograph. Manufactured around 1900 by the company Ernst Eisemann & Co., this device reflects the transition from experimental phonograph designs to reliable commercial applications. Originally founded as a low-voltage electrical installation company in Stuttgart during the 1890s, Ernst Eisemann began producing phonographs around 1893. In 1896, he successfully defended a patent lawsuit against Edison—a landmark legal victory that cleared the way for his independent phonograph production.
The “Meteor” model was designed for use in public venues such as restaurants, hotels, railway stations, or waiting areas. Unlike most other coin-operated phonographs of its time, it features a compact, closed design combined with sturdy mechanics tailored for commercial durability.
Technical Design
The “Meteor” is powered by a mechanical spring-driven motor that starts playback automatically upon coin insertion. It is equipped with listening tubes (hearing hoses), allowing the user to hear the music privately. The cabinet is solidly built and elegantly finished in wood, incorporating a coin validation mechanism to prevent misuse.
Internally, the playback system closely follows conventional cylinder phonograph technology but was specially adapted for coin-operation and long-lasting performance.
Ernst Eisemann – A Technical Pioneer
Ernst Eisemann was among the earliest German phonograph manufacturers. Beyond sound reproduction, he made significant contributions to early automotive technology—particularly with the development of magnetos and ignition systems. In 1907, he established the Eisemann Magneto Company in New York. His company was later integrated into Robert Bosch GmbH in 1924, where the Eisemann name continued to be used for ignition equipment until the 1980s.
Rarity
The Eisemann Meteor exhibited here at the Edisonium is the only fully preserved example known to exist today. Its unique design bridges early phonograph technology with the ingenuity of German electrical engineering—a rare and important artifact from the pioneering era of audio playback in Europe.
