Nowadays we have digital video disks , CDs, MP3s, and of course the web for all our music needs. However, none of those would have been likely if it weren't for the invention of the record player, one of the more significant components of musical technology of all time. It was so pioneering that after its invention in 1877, almost 100 years passed prior to it was replaced by newer technology. And even now, record players carry an oldtime musical feel that makes them very well liked by music listeners around the globe. Nowadays, anytime one thinks of a turntable, it's often the Technics or perhaps the Crosley Record Player. But over a hundred years ago, the name which was of most importance was Thomas Edison.
In 1877, Thomas Edison created what he referred to as the phonograph. Edison's first records were manufactured of tinfoil. These records featured a spiral groove that went up and down the surface area. A hand-cranked device which had a needle, or stylus, was utilized to read the grooves vibrating based on the feel. This became ultimately known as the hill-and-dale method. The vibrations would run up the needle, along a metallic conduit, all the way to a large speaker. The speakers magnified the vibrations into more audible sounds.
When Edison finished his invention, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further upgrades to other inventors and scientists.
A decade later, Emile Berliner invented the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style took its origin from Edison's, but rather than using the traditional hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, known as the varying lateral direction method, featured textures on the edges of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) caught on very quickly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of records became possible when Emile Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy allowed for duplicate records to be pressed indefinitely. At this point, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But with the late nineteenth century came the nationwide use of electricity. Then soon after the electronic record player was announced. Contrary to the hand-turned players that can fluctuate in speed in accordance with the strength of the operator, electronic players offered consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the music's tempo.
Ultimately, record players got so well liked that whole families would hang out around them to enjoy high quality entertainment. Early methods of the previous-song and next-song features of present day Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to select which track was to be played, people would place the stylus in one of the blank grooves located between the textured ones. And for many years, the record player dominated households all over the world.
With the advent of the seventies came cassette-tape decks and 8-track players, and soon, records and record players seemed to be phasing out. However, when DJs became all the rage in night clubs and discos, the turntable remained strong.
No matter what technology comes up with, music fans will always love the record player!
In 1877, Thomas Edison created what he referred to as the phonograph. Edison's first records were manufactured of tinfoil. These records featured a spiral groove that went up and down the surface area. A hand-cranked device which had a needle, or stylus, was utilized to read the grooves vibrating based on the feel. This became ultimately known as the hill-and-dale method. The vibrations would run up the needle, along a metallic conduit, all the way to a large speaker. The speakers magnified the vibrations into more audible sounds.
When Edison finished his invention, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further upgrades to other inventors and scientists.
A decade later, Emile Berliner invented the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style took its origin from Edison's, but rather than using the traditional hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, known as the varying lateral direction method, featured textures on the edges of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) caught on very quickly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of records became possible when Emile Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy allowed for duplicate records to be pressed indefinitely. At this point, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But with the late nineteenth century came the nationwide use of electricity. Then soon after the electronic record player was announced. Contrary to the hand-turned players that can fluctuate in speed in accordance with the strength of the operator, electronic players offered consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the music's tempo.
Ultimately, record players got so well liked that whole families would hang out around them to enjoy high quality entertainment. Early methods of the previous-song and next-song features of present day Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to select which track was to be played, people would place the stylus in one of the blank grooves located between the textured ones. And for many years, the record player dominated households all over the world.
With the advent of the seventies came cassette-tape decks and 8-track players, and soon, records and record players seemed to be phasing out. However, when DJs became all the rage in night clubs and discos, the turntable remained strong.
No matter what technology comes up with, music fans will always love the record player!
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You may enjoy this video on theCrosley Record Player, and this article about the history of recorded music.