History of vinyl records

The vinyl record is an analog data carrier used for storing audio content. It consists of a flat disc with spiral grooves on both sides, starting from the edge and spiraling toward the center. These grooves are read by a stylus, which reproduces the sound. For much of the 20th century, this technology was used for commercial music reproduction. Toward the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, it experienced a resurgence in popularity among audiophiles and in electronic music. Its common but mistaken name is the "bakelite record." 78 RPM gramophone records were made from shellac, while microgroove records (also known as vinyl records) were made from a copolymer of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate.

In 1877, Thomas Alva Edison developed the precursor to the record player, the phonograph. The phonograph cylinder dominated the audio market until the mid-1880s. The Edison Blue Amberol cylinder was introduced in 1912. It provided 4 minutes of playback time at a speed of 160 RPM. The grooved vinyl record was invented by Emile Berliner in 1888. Initially, it was exclusively used for toys until the patent expired in 1918, leading to the production of records by numerous companies. In the 1890s, 17.5 cm diameter records were most common, while by 1910, the 25.4 cm (10-inch) format became the most popular. Starting in 1903, 30.5 cm records were introduced, mostly for classical music. In 1925, the standard playback speed was set at 78 RPM.

The microgroove vinyl record was introduced by Peter Carl Goldmark's development team at Columbia Records in 1948. The first stereo records appeared in 1958, followed by quadraphonic records in 1971. After the introduction of the compact disc in 1982, vinyl record production gradually declined. After 1990, fewer records were released, and in some countries, production ceased altogether.