The LP (or long playing) record was developed by Peter Carl Goldmark in 1948, changing the music industry forever. Before the LP record, the standard recorded disk was the 78 rpm (revolutions per minute) record, which had several drawbacks. The disks themselves were made of shellac compounds, which had to be imported from Southeast Asia and became very scare during World War II. Indeed the United States government banned its use in non-military items during the War. Also, shellac was hard, brittle, and easily scratched. Phonograph needles wore out quickly. The 78 rpm featured grooves of .001 in (.025 cm), and could only hold about four minutes of music per side.
Goldmark, an amateur cellist and music buff, became frustrated at the limitations of the 78 rpm record. In the middle of a recorded symphony, for example, the music would stop and the record would need to be turned over or replaced. Using the resources of his employer, CBS (Columbia), Goldmark spent three years developing a replacement for the 78. He devised the LP record, 12 inches (30.4 cm) wide, with its "microgrooves." The LP record's grooves are only .003 inches (.008 cm wide, and it plays at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute). About 25 minutes of music can fit on one side. Indeed, it would take about six 78 rpm records to fit in one LP record. And unlike the 78, the LP is made of plastic compound called PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC has several advantages over the shellac compound used in 78 rpm records. It is manufactured from petroleum by-products, and therefore available in the United States. PVC is also cheaper to produce, contributing to the decreased cost of LP records as compared to 78s. Most importantly, LP records sounded much better than their predecessors. LP records featured a increase in the frequency and dynamic ranges of recording, and less surface noise. Though LP records could scratch easily, they were much stronger than 78s.
Soon after the LP's introduction, RCA announced the development what it hoped to be a rival to the LP. They invented the 45 rpm record, which was only 7 in (17.8 cm) wide, but like the 78 rpm record, it could only hold several minutes of music per side. Eventually, the 45 rpm record became the standard for single, one song per side, releases.
In 1957, LP records became stereophonic. Before this date, LP records had only one channel (i.e., monophonic), and stereo sound was only available on a certain kind of tape. There were several rival formats for stereo LPs, but the Westrex 45/45 degree system eventually won out. Its groove was V-shaped, and featured two walls for the right and left channels. The Westrex system also was compatible with mono record players, which increased its appeal to the consumer market.
The LP record remained the dominant recording medium for consumer purchase until the 1980s, when compact discs were introduced. LP records relied on analog recording technology. Compact discs used digital technology and were lauded for their ability capture an even greater dynamic range than LPs. Though diehard LP record fans claimed their disks featured "warmer" sounds, the LP record was doomed. By 1991, many music retail stores stopped carrying them. As of the late 1990s, the LP record remains alive only as a specialty item.
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