← All days in history On this day · 23 November

23 November 1889: The first jukebox plays in San Francisco

In 60 words

On 23 November 1889, a coin-operated phonograph was installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco. Customers paid a nickel to listen to a recording through one of four listening tubes. It is considered the ancestor of the jukebox and an early step in the music business.