Emile Berliner invented the first flat disc record in 1888. He made it using vulcanized rubber. Later record makers used rubber discs covered with shellac and slate dust to create a more durable surface. These discs turned out to be rather brittle and prone to breakage during shipping. While seeking alternatives, record-makers discovered that vinyl offered a durable alternative without the drawback of brittleness.
While classical music enjoys a certain level of niche popularity, classical music sales tend to be approximately 3 percent of the retail music market. Vinyl record sales experienced a growth of 14 percent in 2010 according to the Nielsen Sound Scan report. In the context of overall record sales, vinyl records represented less than 1 percent of all recording sales.
Classical LPs may be purchased online through specialty shops and local vendors. Since a great many of LP purchases are resales, especially in the case of collectors, experts recommend listening to an LP before making a purchase decision. Several websites offer listings of available LP recordings, critiques of the sound quality of various recording runs and purchasing recommendations.