A vinyl record, also known as a phonograph record or simply a record, is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts near the periphery and ends near the center of the disc. For about half a century, records were commonly made from shellac, with earlier records having a fine abrasive filler mixed in. Starting in the 1940s, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) became common, and the "vinyl records" of the late 20th century were made from this material.
The LP (long playing) record is a type of vinyl record that was introduced by Columbia Records in 1948 and soon adopted as a new standard by the entire US record industry. It is characterized by a speed of 33+1/3 rpm, a 12- or 10-inch diameter, use of the "microgroove" groove specification, and a vinyl composition disk. Apart from a few relatively minor refinements and the important later addition of stereophonic sound, it remained the standard format for record albums.
When a record hits the platter of a turntable and begins to spin, the needle of a record player acts as one part of a transducer, which converts the physical vibrations of the groove into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through speakers. The process of how vinyl records produce music is both fascinating and complex, from the physical grooves on the record to the components of the turntable. Despite the rise of digital music technology, vinyl records remain a beloved format for music enthusiasts and audiophiles around the world.
