, United States (USA) (American Colonies)
1948 - June 18 - Columbia Records introduced its long playing (LP) 33.333 rpm phonograph format.

Columbia Records' introduction of the long-playing (LP) record in 1948 marked a significant milestone in the history of recorded music. Before the LP, most records were made of shellac and could only hold a few minutes of music per side. The new LP format, however, used a different material, vinyl, which allowed for longer playing times.

The LP's ability to hold up to 20 minutes of music per side revolutionized the way people listened to music. It made it possible to enjoy entire symphonies, concertos, or albums without having to flip the record every few minutes, as was necessary with the older 78 rpm records.

The LP's introduction also led to the standardization of playback speed at 33 1/ 3 rpm, which further improved sound quality and consistency. This standardization ensured that records from different manufacturers would play correctly on any turntable.

Overall, the LP format revolutionized the music industry, paving the way for the development of the modern album and changing the way music was consumed and enjoyed by listeners around the world.

June 18, 1948

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