​The History of the Music Box

Key Takeaways

• Music boxes were inspired by the carillon, a large bell instrument popular in European churches by the mid-17th century.
• Antoine Favre-Salomon, a Swiss watchmaker, created the first music box in the late 1700s, miniaturizing the concept of the carillon into a portable, pocket-sized instrument.
• Over the 19th century, music boxes grew in size and complexity, eventually incorporating cylinders and discs, before being largely replaced by gramophones and other modern music technologies.

When Were Music Boxes Invented

For more than 30 years, Music Box Attic has been supplying customers with the most unique, gorgeous music boxes. However, the music box history dates back far before our business began. The music box is a timeless gift, beloved by so many! 

Wondering when music boxes were invented? Here is an overview of how this cherished item came to exist.

Inspiration for the Music Box

To look at the history of when music boxes were invented, you first have to look at the carillon, which functions in a similar way. A carillon has 23 or more cast bronze bells, controlled by a keyboard. Playing the keyboard releases keys called batons, which strike the bells individually or together to produce a delightful melody. 

The first carillons were featured in churches in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. By the mid-17th century, this instrument was well-known in Europe.

Transforming the Carillon

Antoine Favre-Salomon, a watchmaker who invented the music box, was the first to take the idea behind the carillon and scale it down. He invented the first music box in Switzerland in the late 1700s. These early music boxes were quite different to our music boxes today. They could fit inside a pocket watch, which nicely complemented the inventor’s main business. While the carillon is one of the world’s largest instruments, the original music boxes were some of the smallest!

Evolutions in Music Box History

While you know when music boxes were invented, their evolution has continued over time, and eventually, the boxes started getting bigger. They were typically rectangular in shape and held a 96-tooth steel comb. There was a brass cylinder with pins that rotated, plucking the teeth and producing music. The more teeth in a comb, the longer the song would be. When the cylinder is changed, the music changes as well.

At a time when digital music downloads, CDs, and records were non-existent, the music box was a genuine phenomenon. It allowed people to experience the joy of music wherever, whenever. From the beginning of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, music boxes were a common household item.

The Advent of the Modern Music Box

The next evolution of the music box came in 1886 when German inventor Paul Lockmann, who invented the modern music box, decided to create a music box that played music from a disc. These discs had slots that plucked away at the teeth to produce a song. Changing out the discs meant changing the song.

At about the same time, inventor Emil Berliner made a disc version of Thomas Edison’s gramophone. This technology became the new norm for listening to music, replacing the music box. People liked that these new inventions produced clearer and louder music. As World War I approached, music boxes fell out of popularity.

Experience a Modern Take on the Classic Music Box

Now that you know when music boxes were invented, you can appreciate them so much more. In spite of the many iterations of music listening technology that have taken place since then, music boxes are still just as magical! They provide a safe space for storing the most precious items in addition to producing breathtaking melodies.

If you want to own one of these items with such a rich history, purchase a music box through Music Box Attic! For decades, we’ve been providing customers with music boxes crafted to the highest standards. Whether you’re looking for something classic and simple or totally unique, we have items we know you’ll love!