Quick timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1857 | Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville patents the phonautograph, which records sound visually but cannot play it back |
| 1877 | Thomas Edison announces the phonograph, using tinfoil on a cylinder |
| 1887 | Emile Berliner patents the gramophone, which uses flat discs |
| Early 1900s | Disc records and machines such as the Victrola become popular; shellac 78 RPM becomes the common format |
| 1925 | Electrical recording begins to replace purely acoustic recording |
| 1948 | Columbia introduces the 33 1/3 RPM long-playing (LP) record |
| 1949 | RCA Victor introduces the 7-inch 45 RPM record |
| Late 1950s | Stereo records reach consumers |
Dates differ slightly by source depending on whether they refer to invention, patent or commercial release, so treat these as the commonly cited ones.
Before records: the phonautograph
The phonautograph traced sound waves onto paper coated with soot. It was meant to study sound, not to play it. Decades later, researchers found ways to convert some of these tracings into audible sound.
Edison’s phonograph and cylinders
Edison announced the phonograph in late 1877. It recorded sound by engraving it onto tinfoil wrapped around a cylinder, and a stylus then traced the groove to reproduce it. Wax cylinders and other improvements followed in the 1880s and after, including work at Alexander Graham Bell’s Volta Laboratory.
Berliner’s gramophone and flat discs
Emile Berliner’s gramophone used a flat disc rather than a cylinder, with a spiral groove. Discs were easier to mass produce and store, and they eventually became the dominant format. Companies such as the Victor Talking Machine Company sold machines and records to home listeners in the early 1900s.
The 78 RPM era and the move to electric
For several decades the standard disc was the shellac record spun at about 78 RPM. Early machines were acoustic: a stylus vibrated a diaphragm and a horn made it loud enough to hear. In the mid 1920s electrical recording, using microphones and amplification, came into use, and electric record players followed. You can learn more about these discs in our site’s 78 RPM coverage.
LP and 45 arrive
In 1948 Columbia introduced the 12-inch 33 1/3 RPM LP, made of vinyl and with a much finer groove (microgroove), allowing far longer playing time per side than a 78. In 1949 RCA Victor launched the 7-inch 45 RPM record, which became a standard for singles. Record players of the period began to offer multiple speeds.
Stereo and the hi-fi turntable
Stereo LPs became available to consumers in the late 1950s. During the following decades, turntables developed into the components we know today, with belt and direct drive, adjustable tonearms and replaceable cartridges. See the parts of a record player for a modern layout and how a record player plays music for how the electric chain works.
Decline and revival
Cassettes and then CDs took most of the market from vinyl, particularly from the 1980s onward. Vinyl never fully disappeared, and in the 2000s and 2010s it saw renewed interest from collectors and listeners, with new turntables released in many price ranges.
How to start an old record player
Because old players vary, start by checking the manual if you have it. In general:
- Inspect for damage, dust, and a worn belt or stylus.
- Make sure the speed setting suits the record.
- Confirm the stylus is suitable for the record type. A very old or damaged stylus can harm records.
- For an electric model, connect it to an amplifier with a phono input (or a phono preamp).
- Check that the platter spins before lowering the arm onto a record you do not mind risking.
Old hand-cranked machines are different again, and the right care depends on the model. A repair specialist can advise.
Are older record players better
Not necessarily. Some vintage turntables are well built and prized by enthusiasts, and some are very good, but parts such as belts, rubber wheels and styli age. Modern turntables often have cleaner designs and easily available parts. The best choice depends on condition, budget and whether replacement stylus and parts are available. The stylus itself is covered in what a stylus is and needle materials.