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.
At the time Thomas Edison finished his creation, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further enhancements to other scientists.
10 years later, Emile Berliner developed the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style was based on Edison's, but instead of utilizing the hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, named the varying lateral direction method, had textures on the sides of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) became popular instantly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of disk records became feasible when Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy made it possible for duplicates to be manufactured indefinitely. At this time, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But when the late 19th century rolled around, so did electricity. Then soon after the electric-powered record player was introduced. Contrary to the hand-cranked record players which can range in speed based on the strength of the operator, electrical players provided consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the tempo of the music.
Gradually, record players became so well liked that whole households gathered around them to take pleasure in quality entertainment. Early methods of the prior-song and skip-song functions of today's Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to choose which song was to be played, a person placed the needle in one of the blank grooves in between the textured ones. For many years, the record player was a favorite possession of music fans everywhere.
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 throws at us, fans of music will always appreciate 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.
At the time Thomas Edison finished his creation, he was more interested in its various scientific applications as opposed to its musical potential. This left further enhancements to other scientists.
10 years later, Emile Berliner developed the disk record, and had it patented in 1896. Berliner's design and style was based on Edison's, but instead of utilizing the hill-and-dale method, where the grooves went up and down, his method, named the varying lateral direction method, had textures on the sides of the grooves. The varying later direction (VLD) became popular instantly, and very soon Edison's original hill-and-dale method was left behind.
Soon, mass production of disk records became feasible when Berliner invented the matrix record. This master copy made it possible for duplicates to be manufactured indefinitely. At this time, record players were still powered by the hand crank. But when the late 19th century rolled around, so did electricity. Then soon after the electric-powered record player was introduced. Contrary to the hand-cranked record players which can range in speed based on the strength of the operator, electrical players provided consistent speed. This resulted in absolutely no variation in the tempo of the music.
Gradually, record players became so well liked that whole households gathered around them to take pleasure in quality entertainment. Early methods of the prior-song and skip-song functions of today's Mp3 players were introduced around this time. In order to choose which song was to be played, a person placed the needle in one of the blank grooves in between the textured ones. For many years, the record player was a favorite possession of music fans everywhere.
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 throws at us, fans of music will always appreciate the record player!
