Name/Title
Coin-Operated Phonograph Based on the “Puck”, Electro-Mechanische Werkstätten GmbH, BerlinEntry/Object ID
134Description
ca. 1905–1910. Very rare coin-operated device with Puck mechanism
Historical Background
This unusual phonograph was developed in Berlin for use in restaurants, cafés, or fairgrounds. It is one of only a few known examples of a coin-operated sound device based on the small “Puck” phonograph. While the Puck was originally intended for home use or as a novelty item, this version was professionally adapted for commercial operation.
Coin-operated phonographs were very popular around 1900, but most were significantly larger. This compact construction, with elegant glazing, coin mechanism, and listening tubes, offered a clever combination of entertainment and technical spectacle.
Mechanism and Features
Inside, a classic Puck mechanism operates with a worm gear and a backwards-running cylinder – a typical quirk of this model. A glazed window allows users to observe the moving parts in action.
The coin slot was configured for English pennies or similar coins. Once inserted, the mechanism would automatically start the playback, making it ideal for unattended public use.
Rarity and Significance
Only a handful of these devices are known to exist today – perhaps two or three worldwide. The model on display here at the Edisonium is one of the best-preserved examples and demonstrates how even the smallest phonograph types were cleverly reengineered for public settings. It stands as a rare witness to the versatility and creative ingenuity of early sound entertainment – and as a notable example of German craftsmanship.
