A brief history of the Phonograph

A Brief History of the Phonograph

Since the 1870s up until the present day, the phonograph has been a widely used instrument for playing back recorded sounds and music.

The phonograph was developed by Thomas Edison as a way to record messages to play over the telephone. The early phonographs did not use vinyl discs, like today, but rather worked with a set of cylinders covered in tin foil.

Up until the 1920s, phonographs and discs were widely sold and mass-marketed. After a short decline in sales due to new radio technology, record sales once again increased beginning in the 1940s when vinyl became the medium for recording. Then, after WWII vinyl long play records replaced vinyl 78s which could now contain an entire symphony.

Technology in the 1970s made phonographs even more precise. By this time phonographs would have a belt or direct drive, jewel-balanced tonearms, and some even had electronically controlled linear tracking and magnetic cartridges. New phonographs would have less than .05% wow and flutter and very low rumble (low frequency noise).

The introduction of cassette tapes and compact discs onto the market caused a decline in the use of turntables. Although they are not as popular as they once were, turntables have found a market with hip-hop and electronic DJs, and also with audiophiles who prefer vinyl for its authenticity and fidelity. One popular turntable is the Technics

SL1210 used by DJs. The Technics SL1210 has been in production since 1972 and is in its 5th incarnation.