What is an LP Record?
People have listened to recorded music in many different ways, and one of the earliest sound-playback mediums was the LP record. Despite being somewhat fragile, the discs were the primary way music was sold worldwide for more than 50 years.DefinitionAn LP (or long-playing) record is a sound recording that consists of a vinyl disc with a continuous groove. Sound is emitted as the record rotates on a turntable while a phonograph needle tracks the groove. The vinyl wasn’t easy to break, but if it wasn’t properly cared for it was prone to scratches that could make the LP unplayable.HistoryAmerican inventor Thomas Edison produced the first phonograph and record in 1877. The first record was made of paraffin paper and had Edison saying “Mary had a little lamb.”FormatsLP records generally appear in two formats. 78 rpm records are notable for its large grooves, while the more popular 33-1/3 rpms can store much more sound than 78s, typically up to one hour. “RPM” stands for “revolutions per min
