1857: Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville invents the phonautograph, the earliest known device that could record sound. It used a stylus attached to a diaphragm to etch sound vibrations into a rotating cylinder covered in a soot-covered paper.
1877: Thomas Edison invents the phonograph, an improved sound recording and reproducing device. It used a tinfoil cylinder wrapped around a rotating metal cylinder. The vibrations from a stylus caused indentations on the tinfoil, recording sound.
1887: Emile Berliner invents the gramophone, which used a flat disc instead of a cylinder. The disc had a spiral groove inscribed into it, and a stylus would track along the groove to reproduce the recorded sound.
1895: The first motion picture is shown, featuring a combination of moving images and synchronized sound, making use of the phonograph-like kinetophone.
Early 1900s: Continued advancements in sound recording and reproduction technologies led to the development of better microphones, phonographs, and gramophones, making audio technology more accessible and widespread.
1925: The first commercially successful sound-on-film system, Vitaphone, is introduced, enabling the synchronization of sound with motion pictures.
1931: RCA Victor introduces the first electric record player, which used an electric pickup and amplifier instead of a mechanical stylus, resulting in improved sound quality.
1948: The long-playing record (LP) is introduced, allowing for longer continuous audio playback compared to traditional 78 rpm records.
1950s and 60s: Magnetic tape recording becomes widely used for audio, leading to the development of stereo sound systems and high-quality audio recordings.
1979: The compact cassette (audio cassette) is introduced, revolutionizing portable music listening.
1980s: The rise of digital audio technologies, including the compact disc (CD), digital audio tape (DAT), and later MP3, marked a shift from analog to digital audio formats.
1990s–present: The continued advancement of digital audio technologies, such as streaming audio over the internet, high-resolution audio formats, and wireless connectivity, has shaped modern audio experiences.