Did you know that the first music box ever made – and, coincidentally, the first musical device – dates back to 1811? The evolution of musical devices over time has taken us from simple music boxes to the versatile devices of today.
TheBluetooth speaker has revolutionized the way we listen to music.
1811: Music box
The first music box and musical device was automatic, producing sound by placing pins on a rotating disc or cylinder. It could be slipped into a vest pocket and became popular when the first factory opened in 1815 and the industry boomed.
1857: The phonautograph
The first device capable of recording sound was the phonautograph, invented by Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville in 1857. It worked by transcribing sound waves as ripples across a line drawn on glass or smoke-blackened paper.
1877: The phonograph
Thomas Edison revolutionized the world of music with the invention of the phonograph. The phonograph is a device that mechanically records, stores and reproduces sound. His creation ushered in a new era for the sound and music industries, enabling artists and sound engineers to capture their musical and vocal performances to share with the world.
1887: The Gramophone
Based on the original phonautograph concept and created by Emile Berliner, it differed from phonographs by using a rotating flat disk instead of a rotating cylinder. Gramophones were marketed in 1896 in the form of the Victrola, the first commercially available record player to play recorded music.
1890: The Nickel Slot Phonograph
Invented by Louis Glass and William S. Arnold, this device was a redesigned Edison Class M electric phonograph. The added device was patented as the Coin Actuated Attachment for Phonograph, and enabled music to be heard through four listening tubes.
1910: Headphones
Developed by Nathaniel Baldwin, the first models of headphones were uncomfortable to wear for long periods because they were not padded.
1920: The first radio station
KDKA is an incredibly important radio station. It was the first commercially licensed station to broadcast on a clear channel. Since its inception in 1920, it has broadcast news and entertainment to millions of listeners in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, it played a vital role in the growth of radio’s popularity and the rise of entertainment.
1925: The 78 rpm standard
The speed of 78 revolutions per minute (RPM) was defined as the industry standard for flat records played between 1898 and the end of the 1950s. This speed allows records to play at the same speed on different systems, which is important for a consistent, uniform audio experience. Engineers chose this speed because it offers a compromise between high quality and low noise.
1928: Magnetic tape
Fritz Pfleumer, an Austrian-German engineer, revolutionized the world of audio recording by inventing magnetic tape. In 1928, he developed an innovative process that involved applying iron oxide to thin paper and sealing it with lacquer. His invention enabled artists and recording studios to produce clearer, more precise audio recordings.
1935: The AEG Magnetophon tape recorder
In 1935, German electronic engineering company AEG revolutionized the world of audio recording by creating the first magnetic tape recorder, the Magnetophon. This device was at the forefront of technology, enabling sound professionals to record sounds with a quality and precision unrivalled to this day. The innovative design of the
1937: Two-channel stereo
Bell Laboratories developed two-channel stereo, originally intended for film soundtracks, by separating multiple tracks from a single source recording. In 1940, Disney uses this technology in Fantasia, the first commercial studio film to be amplified with high-fidelity stereo sound.
1940: The vocoder
This vocal synthesizer preceded 1997’s Auto-Tune and could manipulate voice pitch. Created by a physicist at Bell Laboratories, it was essential during the Second World War to obscure the transatlantic conversations of President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
1954: The transistor radio
The Regency TR-1 is the first transistor radio that lets people take their music with them. This portable music device worked with AM broadcasts.
1962: The first portable stereo
Developed by Henry Kloss, KLH’s Model 11 is the first portable stereo system that allows people to listen to music more flexibly.
1963: The compact cassette
Music consumers were delighted when Phillips consolidated the reel to a compact cassette. This innovation transformed the way music was listened to and produced, allowing smoother transitions and enabling music lovers to record their favorite mixtapes. The advantages offered by this technology are not to be underestimated, as it paved the way for a whole host of new applications.
1965: The 8-track tape
In 1965, recorded music made its debut in cars thanks to 8-track tape. Ford proposed this innovation for its 1966 models.
1966: The boombox
Boomboxes are an impressive invention that has revolutionized the way we record and share radio programs. With their convenient, portable format, boomboxes enabled users to easily record radio broadcasts onto cassettes without the need for complicated cables or microphones.
1972: Technics SL-1200 turntables
The high-fidelity turntable was a highly innovative product that revolutionized the way consumers listened to music. Thanks to a direct-drive, high-torque motor, these machines deliver precise, high-quality playback of vinyl records. What’s more, their ergonomic design makes it easy for users to locate the different ends of the record.
1979: The Walkman
The technology of the modern era has revolutionized the way we listen to music. Sony took the concept of Phillips audio cassettes and Nathaniel Baldwin-designed headphones and created the Walkman, making portable music even more convenient and accessible. The Walkman offers a personalized experience, giving users total freedom to explore their music and entertainment.
1982: The Compact Disc
Harnessing reflections from surface laser beams, compact discs convert digital data into analog sound. The invention by Phillips and Sony poses an immediate threat to cassettes and vinyl.
1984: The Discman
In 1984, Sony launched the Discman D-50, a portable CD player that revolutionized the way people listened to music. The product was small and lightweight, making it very practical for those who wanted to listen to music wherever they went. The Discman quickly conquered the hearts of music lovers, offering unprecedented portability.
1998: The MP3 player
With the development of computer technology, file compression became more sophisticated. The collaboration of German sound engineer Karlheinz Bradenburg and the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) with the Internet led to the development of a host and a standard. The .MP3 extension was created and MP3 players became very popular.
2010: Bluetooth speakers
Jawbine is behind the development and creation of the Bluetooth speaker we know today. This speaker offers exceptional audio quality and convenient, reliable wireless connectivity, making it ideal for a variety of uses. It’s also very easy to set up and use, making it the perfect choice for users who want a simple, intuitive wireless and audio experience.