21 June 1948 : Introduction of the vinyl 12inch LP  Add your News

Nowadays it seems that everybody knows them : 12" vinyl records. People might think that this medium has been around for ages, but the 12inch record as we know, has only been introduced on 21 juni in 1948. The 12" (30,48 cm) LP (Long Play) 33⅓ rpm record was introduced by the Columbia Record at a press release in New York.

RCA released in 1949 the world's first 45 RPM single, 7" in diameter. In the center is has a large hole so that it could be used in automatic machines that could change the disc automatically. when this sinlge would be used on a regualar turntable instead of such an automatic machine, you should use an adapter ring to fit it. These early 45 RPM records were made from either vinyl or polystyrene, people didn't mind the environment as much as today.

A gramophone records (or phonographic record) is usually refered to as a Record or LP, a lot of people would also just call it 'Vinyl'. The latter refers to the material which is used to create the black disc with an instcrived spiral groove, starting at the outer edge, ending near the center label of the records.

The terms LP record (LP, 33, or 33-1/3 rpm record), EP, 16-2/3 rpm record (16), 45 rpm record (45), and 78 rpm record (78) each refer to specific types of gramophone records. Except for the LP and EP (which are contractions of Long Play and Extended Play respectively), these type refers to their rotational speeds in revolutions per minute (RPM).

During the 1980s vinyls popularity was influenced by the new digital media (CD) and later by MP3 and all other digital media. Gramophone records remain the medium of choice for some audiophiles and that might never change.

Vinyl will probably exist and be used forever, allthough nowadays it's populairity has trouble keeping up with all those digital media's. The question "which is better, the analogue record or any new digital format" will most likely never be answered as technological facts does not always convince peoples feelings... but does it matter ??

More information : Wiki's Gramaphone Records