Who Invented LP Records?
When the first phonograph records (78s) were made, they were constructed from shellac, which only lasted a few playings. So the record companies decided to come up with something that lasted longer--the LP.
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Timeline
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Thomas Edison developed the phonograph in 1877. In 1888, Emile Berliner invented the lateral-cut disc record, which was used in toys. The Edison Blue Amberol Record was introduced in 1912. It was seen as a milestone because these records had a playing time of four minutes.
More Inventions
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Deutsche Grammophon Records produced an album in 1908 of the opera "Carmen." The following year, Odeon, a German record company, released the "Nutcracker Suite" on four double-sided discs.
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Beginning of the Album
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In the 1930s, record companies issued 78 rpm records by one performer or of one type of music in specially assembled collections. They were called "albums."
Records Are Born
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Although Peter Goldmark is credited as being the inventor of the album, it was actually his research team at CBS who were the architects of the LPs.
Engineering the Album
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The team at CBS also came up with a better material--vinyl--and a lighter-weight phonograph needle.
Albums Go Public
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On June 20, 1948, the first public demonstration of an album was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. By this time, albums could hold 22 minutes of music.
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References
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