THE RISE, FALL, AND RESURGENCE OF THE INCREDIBLE INVENTION THAT TRANSFORMED THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

While many people are familiar with the record player due only to the recent vinyl resurgence, record players have actually had a significant role in shaping the music industry for more than a century. From their origins in the late 1800s to their resurgence in recent years, these iconic relics have gone through multiple eras, illustrating just how far technology has advanced.

But beyond the technological aspect, it’s the nature of music that makes the history of the turntable worth knowing. Once upon a time, not so very long ago, people couldn’t easily listen to music inside their homes. Instead, they had to go to concert halls and bars to listen to music live. The record player helped bring music into the home, dubbing it as one of the most important inventions in the history of home entertainment!

So without further ado, let’s travel back in time to see where the record player got its start.

THE START

To learn the turntable’s humble origin, we must go back to 1857. This is when Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville, a French bookseller and inventor, created the phonautograph. His device was the first known sound record device - yet it couldn’t record or play audio. Instead, it transcribed sound waves into a visual pattern on paper. And this was an incredible first step.

It was Thomas Edison’s phonograph in 1877 that most people recognize as the beginnings of the record player. His device could record sound and play it back by inscribing audio onto tinfoil wrapped around a cardboard cylinder. Creative, right? Alexander Graham Bell then shined his way onto the stage to improve the design by using wax cylinders for higher quality sound waves and by replacing the rigid needle with a floating stylus.

The next step is owed to one Emile Berliner, a German-American inventor. He decided on flat discs rather than the cylindrical models of Edison and Bell, dubbed his creation “gramophone,” and patented it in 1887. His invention used a rotating mechanism attached to a large trumpet-shaped cone from which the sound emerged; it played the record by reading its grooves using a needle similar to Edison's. His gramophone was so popular that by 1895, it was being mass-produced, forever changing the world of music.

THE EVOLUTION

Incredible improvements throughout time is natural for any sort of technology, and that's especially clear in the development of the record player. The gramophone record player became quite popular - until the invention of the radio stole some of the spotlight, anyway. Yet it clung on and really hit its stride during the 50s and 60s. From the rise of 78 RPM double-sided records to the invention of the 12” LP (long-play) vinyl record, play times and sound quality continued to improve.

Once Dual released the first turntables to provide stereo playback, high-fidelity sound became the addiction of most audio lovers. Then classic stereo consoles and jukeboxes hit the scene, creating new and improved ways for people to listen to their records.

We would also be remiss to forget “turntablism,” the art of scratching, which grew significantly in popularity during the 80s. Hip-hop DJs and music artists would connect audio mixers to their record players, then moved their hands along the records so they scratched against the needle, adding a creative rhythmic element.

THE END

The vinyl record didn’t wither out from existence so much as get pushed aside by the new kids on the block. And no, we’re not referring to the boy band.

With the invention of compact cassette tapes and compact discs, the popularity of vinyl records (and thus record players) began to decline. In the late 80s and 90s, these new formats became the popular choice for music listening thanks largely to their portability, storage capability, and ease of use. The sound quality of the CD, many argued, was much improved over the vinyl record as well. So as commercial retailers devoted more shelf space to them, the record player was pushed to the back burner.

But don’t worry! This is a story of genius and good fortune: the record player was not out of the running yet.

THE RETURN

Thanks to their tangible experience, unique sound, and nostalgic attitude, record players have made a marvelous comeback within the last few years. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music may provide music how and when you want it, but you get a much deeper personal experience with a turntable. Vinyl produces a truly immersive, one-of-a-kind sound you can’t get anywhere else. Nostalgia is trending, and record tables are riding that wave with grace.

Vinyl record sales have even recently risen above CD sales, something they haven't done since the invention of the compact disc. According to Forbes, records have seen a 260% increase since 2009. People bought almost 5 million vinyl records in 2020 alone!

This trend seems here to stay and will probably only grow more popular in the next few years. So if you’re new to turntables and are interested in learning more about them, we encourage you to read our Turntable Jargon article! It reviews important terms and features you should know before investing in a turntable.

SUMMARY

Humanity is known for our love of recording experiences and knowledge. From images to sound, humans have obsessed over keeping records for thousands of years. The invention of the record player and the vinyl record is one of the best examples of that. The ability to record sound revolutionized the music industry in a way that we’re still being impacted by today.

And just for the record: even before their resurgence, record players maintained a loyal fan base thanks to hardcore music enthusiasts. Since its birth, the turntable has undergone an incredible evolution yet their ability to bring music and joy to listeners never wavered. Streaming services may currently be the most popular way of listening to music, but record players will always have a place in people’s hearts and homes.