Draft:Mighty Wurlitzer

This page is about the theatre organ. For the political term and book, see CIA influence on public opinion.
Mighty Wurlitzer
White "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ at the Musical Instrument Museum in Berlin.
The "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ (Type 220) at Troxy in East End, London.
Keyboard instrument
Other namesWurlitzer Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra
Classification Aerophone
InventorRobert Hope-Jones
Developed1910
Related instruments
Builders

The Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra, commonly known as the Mighty Wurlitzer, is a type of theatre organ produced by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company from 1910 until 1943. It is based upon the innovations of and theatre organs invented by Robert Hope-Jones, who was employed by Wurlitzer from 1910 until his death in 1914.

The Wurlitzer Company built at least 2,143 theatre organs, a number greater than every other theatre organ builder combined. They were primarily installed in theatres in the United States and United Kingdom to provide musical accompaniment to silent films. Twelve Mighty Wurlitzers remain in the venues where they were originally installed.

History

Robert Hope-Jones

Main article: Robert Hope-Jones

Robert Hope-Jones was an English musician and organ builder who believed that the organ should be able to imitate a full orchestra of instruments.[1] Hope-Jones engaged in numerous organ-building ventures in the United Kingdom and the United States before establishing his own company, the Hope-Jones Organ Company, in 1907 in Elmira, New York. Hope-Jones built a total of 246 organs between 1887 and 1911.[2] Hope-Jones, depressed and frustrated by his association with Wurlitzer, died by suicide in 1914.[3][4]

Development

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company acquired the Hope-Jones Organ Company in 1910, including its patents and the factory in Elmira.[5]

Silent film era

A total of 2,143 Mighty Wurlitzers were constructed. Many were installed in Movie theater

Decline and recent history

Following the development of the sound film, the lack of need for musical accompaniment in theatres led to many Mighty Wurlitzers falling into disuse.

Legacy

Notable surviving organs

See also

References

  1. ^ Irwin, Stevens (1973). "Homage to Robert Hope-Jones: The Creator of the Theatre Organ". American Theatre Organ Society. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  2. ^ Fox, David H. (1992). Robert Hope-Jones. Richmond, Virginia: Organ Historical Society. ISBN 978-0-9134-9909-2.
  3. ^ "Death of Robert Hope-Jones" (19 September 1914) Music Trade Review
  4. ^ Ortloff, Jonathan (Spring 2005). "A Robert Hope-Jones Organ in Rochester" (PDF). Resonance. Eastman School of Music: 15. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013.
  5. ^ George Laing Miller (1913) The Recent Revolution in Organ Building, Charles Francis Press, New York

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