The collection originated from the private hobby of Paul Gauselmann, the founder of the Gauselmann Group.
Some items in the collection date back to the late 19th century, predating modern electronic gaming by nearly 100 years.
The museum documents the transition from mechanical clockwork automata to sophisticated electromechanical systems.
Many of the vintage jukeboxes and mechanical pianos are still maintained in working order to demonstrate period-accurate sound reproduction.
The collection includes specialized machines designed for specific non-gaming tasks, such as automated shoe-polishing devices or early vending technology.
The German Machines Museum (Deutsches Automatenmuseum) houses a collection of over 1,800 historical coin-operated machines, ranging from 19th-century music boxes to 20th-century arcade games. Established by Paul Gauselmann, the museum serves as a cultural archive for the history of automatic amusement and gaming technology. The permanent exhibition spans several centuries, showcasing the evolution of mechanical, electromechanical, and early digital machines. Exhibits include rare slot machines, jukeboxes, fortune-telling machines, and early pinball tables. The facility is located within the grounds of the Gauselmann Group in Espelkamp. Interactive displays allow visitors to observe the mechanical inner workings of various devices. It is one of the few global institutions dedicated specifically to the development of automated entertainment systems.
The restored, colorfully illuminated 1950s jukebox section.
Check the museum's website for scheduled guided tours, which offer deep dives into the restoration processes.
Visit during the week for a quieter experience compared to weekend afternoons.
Look for the 'active' stations where you can trigger the movement of specific mechanical exhibits.
Do not attempt to touch the glass cases or internal mechanisms of the unguided exhibits.
Closed on Mondays.
