From Vinyl to CD… to Digital Download
How could we not dedicate the first article to the legendary vinyl, the undisputed emblem of disco music??? An object now idolized by many and preserved as a relic of times past.
Yes indeed… vinyl has a very ancient history. Initially it was called the “horizontal disc” and was presented by Emile Berliner (May 20, 1851 – August 3, 1929, Philadelphia USA) in May 1888, who used it inside talking toys. It was then used as a musical medium with the “Phonograph” and subsequently with the “Gramophone,” conceived in 1877 by Charles Cros, although the first actual working model was created by Thomas Alva Edison, who patented it in 1878.
Vinyl then became an object for commercial use, and the first recording dates back to 1895.
At the end of 1899, the 78 rpm record was born, made of shellac, and in 1905 John C. Dunton (Michigan USA) patented the first jukebox, calling it the “Multiphone”; subsequently, the Automatic Musical Instruments Co. created the first fully electronic model in 1927. And as early as 1946, a certain Tom Saffady (Michigan USA) invented the first version of the picture disc, where instead of black microgrooves there was an image engraved on the grooves.
However, it was only after World War II that Wurlitzer dominated the jukebox field. They created a model called the “Wurlitzer 1015” and sold approximately 56,000 units, which to this day are among the most sought-after models by collectors.
In June 1948, PVC also began to be used as a material to produce horizontal discs, from which the name “vinyl” was derived. In the same year, Columbia Records produced the first 33 rpm records, otherwise known as long playing, while the following year RCA responded with the first 45 rpm single.
The commercialization of records became increasingly widespread, eventually reaching every home, and this became possible from the 1960s when the record player was invented!
Who among us has never played a 45 or 33 on a device like this… the famous GELOSO!!
Or had fun as a child playing DJ with this record player??
Here we are at the second part, and given the absolutely positive response from everyone, how could we not continue with some other technical details that perhaps not everyone knows.
Technically, the sound of a vinyl record is reproduced analogically by means of a stylus, made of diamond or other synthetic material, placed on the engraved groove. The rotation of the disc causes the stylus to generate vibrations resulting from the irregularity of the groove which, by means of the stylus on which it is mounted, are carried to a transducer, which can be made using various technologies. The acoustic quality is excellent and guarantees faithful reproduction of music, especially that recorded before the advent of digital technologies, but only if very high-level and therefore very expensive components are used to reproduce it. Even today, taking only the ear as judge, there are those who prefer them to digital systems.
And who if not the disc jockeys themselves, who have preserved unchanged over time their passion for these mysterious and fascinating objects, to which each of us can surely associate a piece of life.
Yes indeed, “vinyl” is the DJ’s favorite—in fact, some Italian and foreign labels still produce music on vinyl specifically for disc jockeys. Anyone cannot help but be fascinated by a DJ at the console who holds the headphones with one hand and mixes the turntables with the other?…
And returning to vinyl as a cult, it is no coincidence that the all-time chart of best-selling records published by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) shows this ranking:
1 EAGLES/THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971 – 1975 EAGLES
2 THRILLER MICHAEL JACKSON
3 THE WALL PINK FLOYD
4 LED ZEPPELIN IV LED ZEPPELIN
5 GREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II BILLY JOEL
True milestones in music history.
Have you ever made your own personal ranking? If so, why not try publishing it so we can do an I LOVE DISCO survey???
