In the days of digital streaming, not many people think about the history of music and how easy it is today to listen to their favorite artists. However, vinyl records and players are vintage items with a long and fascinating history. Here, the team at Alison’s Record Shop in Nashville, TN, shares a few interesting facts about these records players and vinyl albums.

Who Invented Them?

During his career, one of the many inventions Thomas Edison began working on was a phonograph. He was interested in learning how to store and play back sound. Although he eventually abandoned the project, it wasn’t forgotten. In 1877, Emile Berlinger invented the gramophone and started a company to manufacture both the players and the precursors to modern vinyl records.

How Does a Record Player Work?

These devices are simple. The vinyl album stores sound waves. Then, when it’s on the turntable, a stylus, or a cone-shaped, diamond-tipped needle, “reads” these waves, which are transmitted through vibrations. In turn, the vibrations travel along the arm of the needle and turn into electrical signals with the help of a coil. From there, they move to the amplifier and then to the speakers.

Why Are These Inventions So Important?

Record players allowed people to bring the music they loved, which could once only be heard live, home with them, where they could listen to it as often as they wanted. In the music industry, the invention of vinyl records gave DJs a new medium to work with and let them remix songs when they played for a live audience.

For a fantastic selection of vinyl records in Nashville, head to Alison’s Record Shop. Their team has a wealth of knowledge about various musical genres and the equipment necessary to play the music you love. They’ll help you find your favorite records and will also buy some vintage ones. To learn more about their collection, call (615) 356-0180 or visit them online.