The Vinyl Revolution: Columbia Records Introduces the First Long-Playing (LP) Record in History
Introduction
On June 21, 1948, Columbia Records made history with the introduction of the first vinyl long-playing (LP) record. This groundbreaking innovation revolutionized the music industry by providing an extended playing time and improved sound quality compared to its predecessors, the standard 78-rpm records. Developed by Peter Carl Goldmark (Hungarian: Goldmark Péter Károly) and William S. Bachman, the LP record paved the way for a new era of musical enjoyment. Let’s explore the journey that led to this significant milestone.
Columbia Records founded as American Graphophone Company in Washington, D.C.
While working on refining the telegraph in 1887, Thomas Alva Edison hit on the idea of transcribing sounds on a cylinder wrapped in tinfoil, and the patent for his “phonograph” was issued on February 19, 1878. With this technology and the leadership of Edward Denison Easton, the Columbia Phonograph and the American Graphophone Company became the beginnings of what would evolve to be Columbia Records, a company famed not only for its music but also the entire history of the American recording industry and its impact on modern life.
The Limitations of Early Record Formats
Here is a list of the main ideas:
Early commercial cylinders: Early cylinders for sale and discs had severe limitations in playing time of about two minutes hardly enough for a complete song or instrumental work. Efforts were made to extend the playing time by producing larger cylinders and through finer grooving techniques. However, these attempts did not yield satisfactory results.
Disc size increases: In 1894, Emile Berliner introduced the seven-inch disc, which could play for about two minutes. Over time, disc sizes increased, with 10-inch and 12-inch discs becoming more common. The industry eventually standardized around the 12-inch maximum size.
Pioneer long-players: In 1904, Victor, Columbia, and Fonotipia experimented with larger discs that played for longer durations, such as six minutes. However, these early long-playing discs were not successful.
Advances in Britain: In the early 1900s, Marathon Records and World Record Co. introduced long-playing discs in Britain. Marathon Records could play for up to 16 1/2 minutes, and some World Records lasted more than 20 minutes. These innovations demonstrated the growing demand for extended playing durations.
Electrically recorded discs: In 1925, Brunswick introduced 12-inch electrically recorded discs that could play for 40 minutes (20 minutes per side). Edison also introduced a 12-inch disc in 1926, but it failed in the market due to various reasons.
Edison’s cylinders, for instance, could only play for a mere two minutes, hardly enough for a complete song or instrumental work. Efforts were made to extend the playing time by producing larger cylinders and through finer grooving techniques. However, these attempts did not yield satisfactory results.
Columbia becomes first recording company to embrace electrical recording entirely: Beginning around 1920, engineers at the research bureau of the American Telephone and Telegraph monopoly had been pursuing innovations in electrical recording. No longer would recording be confined to small groups; the new electrical microphones could handle entire symphony orchestras. They could also capture subtler sounds with great fidelity.
To first show off the technology’s potential, Columbia released an electrical recording of “Adeste Fideles” sung by 850 members of the Associated Glee Clubs of America at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1925. That same year, the mellow-voiced Art Gillham, also known as “the Whispering Pianist,” recorded Columbia’s first pop release that used the new electrical process, “You May Be Lonesome.”
Advancements in Record Technology
Various companies around the world made significant advancements in record technology. Companies such as International Zonophone, Victor Monarchs, G&T, Pathé, and Neophone experimented with larger discs of different diameters, but none of these early long-playing formats gained success.
Breakthroughs in Britain
In Britain, Marathon Records and World Record Co. introduced long-playing discs with increased playing times. Marathon 12-inch discs could play up to an impressive 16 1/2 minutes, and some World Records even exceeded 20 minutes. These innovations demonstrated the growing demand for extended playing durations.
Brunswick’s Announcement and Edison’s Failed Attempt
In August 1925, Brunswick announced its 40-minute (20 minutes per side) 12-inch electrically recorded discs with 500 grooves per inch, a notable step forward. However, Edison’s 12-inch disc introduced in August 1926 failed to gain traction due to various reasons, including the thin grooves that were incompatible with the heavy tone arms of the time and a lack of readiness in the market to embrace longer playing times.
The Rise of 33 1/3-rpm Records
In 1932, Columbia Records produced 33 1/3-rpm records for intermission music in motion picture theaters. These records played from the center outward and provided a playing time of up to 20 minutes on a 12-inch disc. The 33 1/3-rpm speed proved suitable for adding sound to projected motion pictures, further emphasizing its potential.
The Birth of the Modern LP Record
Columbia Records eventually capitalized on the success of the 33 1/3-rpm speed by introducing the modern LP record in 1948. Developed by Peter Goldmark and William S. Bachman, the LP format featured between 250–400 grooves per inch, offering vastly improved sound quality compared to standard 78-rpm records with 96–125 grooves per inch. The stylus diameter was reduced to 0.001 inch (one millimeter), applying a minimal pressure of six grams and featuring a tip radius of less than 0.025 millimeters.
Industry Impact and Legacy
The introduction of the LP record format by Columbia Records revolutionized the music industry. The extended playing time of up to 20 minutes per side allowed for the uninterrupted listening of entire musical pieces, providing a more immersive and satisfying experience for music enthusiasts. The LP format became the industry model and remained dominant until the advent of the compact disc (CD) years later.
Conclusion
The first vinyl long-playing (LP) record introduced by Columbia Records on June 21, 1948, marked a turning point in the history of recorded music. This innovative format, developed by Peter Goldmark and William S. Bachman, provided a longer playing time, improved sound quality, and laid the foundation for the modern music industry. The LP record revolutionized how we listen to music and remains an enduring symbol of artistic expression and technological progress.
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