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The Noise Foundation

Know Your History

  

The history of recorded music - an overview of key milestones in the evolution of recorded music:

Early Beginnings (Late 19th Century):

  • Phonograph       (1877): Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, the first device       capable of recording and reproducing sound. It used a cylinder covered in       tinfoil to capture sound waves.
  • Graphophone       (1887): Emile Berliner improved upon Edison’s design with the       graphophone, which used a flat disc instead of a cylinder, leading to the       development of the disc record.

The Birth of the Record Industry (1890s-1920s):

  • Shellac       Records: By the early 1900s, records made of shellac became the       standard. These records were typically 10 inches in diameter and played       at 78 RPM (revolutions per minute).
  • Record       Labels: Major record labels like Columbia and Victor emerged,       producing and distributing music recordings. The first commercial       recordings of popular artists began to appear.

The Jazz Age and the Rise of Popular Music (1920s):

  • The       1920s saw the rise of jazz and blues, with artists like Louis Armstrong       and Bessie Smith gaining popularity. The introduction of radio also       helped promote recorded music.

The      Advent of Long-Playing Records (LPs) (1948):

  • Vinyl       Records: Columbia Records introduced the 12-inch long-playing (LP)       record, which could hold multiple tracks and played at 33 1/3 RPM. This       format revolutionized the music industry, allowing for full albums to be       released.

The 45 RPM Single (1949):

  • RCA       Victor introduced the 7-inch 45 RPM record, designed for singles. This       format became popular for radio play and allowed listeners to purchase       individual songs.

The Tape Revolution (1950s-1960s):

  • Magnetic       Tape: The introduction of magnetic tape recording allowed for higher       fidelity and easier editing. This technology became widely used in       studios, leading to the production of more complex recordings.

The Rise of Rock and Roll (1950s):

  • The       1950s saw the emergence of rock and roll, with artists like Elvis Presley       and Chuck Berry dominating the charts. The music industry began to cater       to youth culture, leading to significant changes in marketing and       distribution.

The 8-Track and Cassette Tapes (1960s-1970s):

  • 8-Track       Tapes: Introduced in the 1960s, 8-track tapes became popular for       portable music in cars.
  • Cassette       Tapes: The compact cassette, introduced in 1963, allowed for easy       recording and playback, leading to the rise of mixtapes and portable       music players.

Digital Revolution (1980s-1990s):

  • Compact       Discs (CDs): The introduction of CDs in the early 1980s marked a       significant shift in music consumption, offering higher sound quality and       durability compared to vinyl and tape.
  • Digital       Recording: The transition to digital recording technology allowed for       greater precision and manipulation of sound in the studio.

The Internet and MP3 Era (1990s-2000s):

  • The       rise of the internet and file-sharing platforms like Napster       revolutionized how music was distributed and consumed, leading to a       decline in physical sales and a rise in digital downloads.
  • Streaming       Services: The emergence of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple       Music in the 2010s transformed the music industry, allowing for instant       access to vast libraries of music.

Vinyl Resurgence (2000s-Present):

  • Despite       the dominance of digital formats, vinyl records have experienced a       revival in recent years, with sales increasing as collectors and       audiophiles seek the tactile experience and sound quality of vinyl.

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