HISTORY OF AUDIO RECORDING AND REPRODUCTION

Phonautograph

Mar 25, 1857

Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville invented the Phonautograph: the first device that could record sound.

Microphones

Jan 1, 1877

The leading record labels used a microphone, an electric recording device that increased the flexibility and quality of sound recording. Invented by Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner patented the invention in March and June of 1877.

Phonograph

Jan 1, 1887

Emile Berliner invented the Phonograph; also known as the Gramophone

Vinyl Records

Jan 1, 1889

The first record made was a 78RPM (Revolutions per Minute) and were made from materials such as hard rubber. No name attached.

Telegraphone

Jan 1, 1898

Valdemar Poulsen invented the Telegraphone: a magnetic wire recording device that could pick up sound

Magnetophon Recorders

Jan 1, 1930

Fritz Pflemer invented the Magnetophon Recorder in Berlin Germany and in 1935 the Magnetophon Recorder was used in the BerlinRadio Show.

Marconi-Stille Recorder

Dec 25, 1932

The British Broadcasting Corporation first used the Marconi-Stille Recorder for their broadcasts. Created by German Scientists. No specific name attached.

Stereo

Jan 1, 1943

A Multi-Track Recording Device which divided the recording head into two tracks.

Compact Audio-Cassette

Jan 1, 1963

Gerard Philips invented the Compact Audio-Cassette in his Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. factory headquarters in Eindhoven just south of Netherlands.

Compact Disc

Jan 1, 1974

The Compact Disc (CD) is an optical disc used to store digital data. The first public demonstration was made by Sony in September of 1976. Invented by L. Ottens: a director of the audio industry group within the Philips Corporation in Eindhoven.