Brief History of Sound Recording and Broadcasting Technology

1864

James Maxwell's electromagnetic wave theory becomes the basis for radio wave propogation.

1877

First description of recording sound onto a cylinder or disc described by Charles Cros in France and Thomas Alva Edison in the United States.

1878

Thomas Edison patents the recording of sound onto discs and cylinders.

1887

Heinrich Hertz transmits and receives radio waves over short distances.

1888

Emile Berliner shows first example of a working "phonograph" playback device.

1888

Basics of magnetic recording put forth by Oberlin Smith.

1889

Danish inventor Valdemar Poulsen patents the first magtnetic recorder.

1895

Development of first wireless telegraph system by Guglielmo Marconi.

1905

First electron tube developed by Sir Ambrose Fleming.

1906

First wireless communication of human speech.

1912

Development of the 'Audion' vacuum tube amplifier by Lee de Forest, leading the way towards the electronic amplification of sound.

1919

KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is licensed as the first broadcast radio staion.

1925

First electronic recordings made with the use of a microphone released to the public.

1931

First stereo recordings made by Bell Telephone Laboratories, for experimental use.

1933

Theory of frequency modulation (FM) for radio broadcasts developed by Edwin Armstrong.

1935

Development of the tweeter and woofer in loudspeaker technology to reduce loudspeaker distortions.

1936

The first true magnetic tape recorder, the Magnetophone, is issued.

1939

'AC Bias' added to tape recordings to improve sound quality.

1948

Introduction of Long Play (LP) record by CBS.

1948

First transistor introduced.

1949

RCA makes the 45 rpm, 7 inch disc available.

1949

Developmental work on the acoustic suspension loudspeaker done by Harry Olsen.

1954

Introduction of stereo tapes to the public.

1954

Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss begin to popularize the acoustic suspension loudspeaker.

1958

First stereo LP records released.

1962

First stereo FM radio broadcasts.

1964

Philips makes public the compact cassette.

1975 - 1978

Early digital recording made.

1980

Sony introduces the "Walkman".

1983

First CD player made available through technology developed by Sony and Philips.

Référence: http://www.soundsite.com/history/soundhis.html