1949

- The first presentation of transistor by Shockley, Brittain and Bardeen brought revolution not only in design but also in efficiency of sound equipment and domestic devices

- With the release by RCA of the first 45 rpm record, a battle started between these and the ones of 33rpm. Finally they both remained in the market due to their practical advantages

1948

Oil industry presented a multi-use plastic, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), suitable for magnetic tapes and discs with low sound noise. PVC made feasible the creation of narrow groove records with much higher capabilities than those of the “long play” records of 20 minutes per side, that Edison created in 1926

1945

After the work, research for peace causes boosted the development of sound quality. The audio spectrum of recordings was significantly expanded. During the war, background music was used to raise productivity and researches showed that this raise was up to 25%. This information was important for the boost of discography

1942

RCA Victor awarded the first golden record to Glenn Miller for sales of over one million units of the "Chattanooga Choo-choo"

1941

Leopold Stokowski, who since 1917 showed an interest to the techniques improving recording quality, conducted the orchestra that played the music in Walt Disney’s "Fantasia"

1936

BASF’s engineers, using a "Magnetophon" recorded Mozart’s Symphony No39 by London Philarmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. It was the first recording of a symphonic orchestra, that still exists with an unexpectedly good sound quality

1935

AEG-Telefunken made the first public demonstration of a "Magnetophon" in Berlin convention

1934

BASF manufactured 50,000 meters of magnetic tape for large scale experiments by AEG

1931

- Alan Dower Blumlein (EMI) is awarded a patent for his stereo recording technique that set the bases for the modern techniques

- Thomas Edison dies in the age of 84

1927

"The Jazz Singer", the first but not most-known movie with sound is released

1925

This is the year when many record companies perform their first electric recordings

1923

Record companies are in recession due to the increasing popularity of the radio

1919

- Electric recording is in an experimental stage

- Garrard Engineering, a subsidiary of British Crown Jewellers manufactured precision mechanisms for gramophones

1917

The first mass releases of jazz music in cylinders delayed the final disappearance of this medium

1913

Decca presents the portable gramophone

1908

Edison continues to use cylinders, but records prove increasingly harder rivals

1906

Victrola gramophone of Victor makes its appearance. Its success was such that the name Victrola was used as a product descriptive name

1904

Fleming creates the “Fleming oscillation valve” a vacuum tube diode and Lee de Forest creates later the “De Forest valve”, a triode. Electric recording is now feasible

1903

The first 12’’ records are released by Monarch. HMV Italiana releases Verdi’s "Ernani" in 40 copies

1902

Caruso made his first of many records. Popularity of cylinder is receding

1901

The initial method of engraving a plaque with acid is replaced by the use of a wax coating