The History of Stereophonics
Melissa Salgado
LIS 391
1881: Paris Electrical Exhibition
Clement Ader introduced a stereo system broadcasting opera programs. 80 telephone transmitters connected by wires to telephone receivers picked up music from the Paris Opera. People in a local hotel were able to hear the live music by putting to their ears receivers which Adler set up.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com, http://history.acusd.edu/gen/recording/stereo.html
1931: Recording stereo onto disk
A.C. Keller, a scientist at Bell Labs developed a system that had two tracks on it. He later discovered how to record both tracks into a single groove.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com, http://www.lucent.com/minds/discoveries/tline30b.html
1934: Stereophonic Sound
A.C. Keller amplified the Philadelphia orchestra in Washington, D.C. The microphones he used picked up the sound coming from the orchestra, sent the sound over phone lines, and projected the sound in Washington, D.C. This also led to the development of high-fidelity stereo disc records.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com, http://www.bell-labs.com/org/1133/Heritage/Stereo/
1961: First stereo FM radio broadcasts
Cities around the world aired their first FM radio broadcasts.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com
1975-1978: First digital recordings made
During this time period, Sony introduced the Betamax for video recording.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com, http://clients.oznet.com/cedarcrest/woods35.html
1980: The Walkman
The first portable "walkman" was introduced in the U.S. People were now able to bring the radio with them wherever they went. The walkman was a social phenomenon and was one of the three most popular fashion products along with roller skates and digital watches.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com, http://users.skynet.be/fa209730/walkman_history.htm
1982: AM stereo broadcast and surround sound
The FCC allows AM stereo to be broadcast. Dolby Laboratories introduces surround sound for the home.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com
1983: The CD Player and hi-fi VCRs
The first CD player was made by Sony and Philips. Sony also introduced the first Hi-fi VCRs.
References: www.thehistorychannel.com
1998: High Definition Television
Dolby digital audio used in High Definition Television broadcasting (HDTV)
References: www.thehistorychannel.com
