National Vinyl Record Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
Music enthusiast and founder of the first nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the cultural influence of vinyl, Gary Freiberg created National Vinyl Record Day as a way to honor the art behind the music, collecting, and recording.
Also known as a phonograph record, the first vinyl ever created was by American inventor Emile Berliner in the 1890s. By 1895, record players were released to the masses, but soon became dominated by the rise of radio. Thirty-four years later, the Victor Company released a record player they called the Red Seal. This record player played 10-inch vinyl records. Though record players still sold well in the ’30s and ’40s, it wasn’t until the ’60s and ’70s that the golden age of records reached its peak. In 1948, Columbia Records released 33-1/3 RPM records. These were made out of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and the sounds are recorded in the grooves in the vinyl.
The first cassette was released in 1962 and gave vinyl some stiff competition. Because cassettes were more portable and able to rewind, fast forward, pause, play, and stop at the touch of a button, consumers latched onto the new technology. In 1974, the development of the Compact Disc (CD) began, which nearly drained the vinyl market in 1988. From 1988 to 1991, there was a continued decline in vinyl sales, and as a result Sony decided to stop making them altogether in 1989, with only collectors and audiophiles remaining loyal to the format.
However, since then, records have made a huge comeback for a number of reasons with what is now called “The Vinyl Revival.” Fortunately, 28 years later, increased demand for vinyl records resulted in Sony making them once again. Records had begun to be reintroduced in 2006, and by 2017, they were popular enough for Sony to start making them again. They would continue to grow in popularity until 27.5 million records were sold in the U.S. in 2020—a figure that’s 46% higher than the number of records sold in 2019. Today, we recognize the positive impact vinyl not only had on our lives but also on music itself.
Celebrate today by remembering your favorite music, remembering fond memories, and listening to a record!
Photos by www.holidayscalendar.com, www.holidayinsights.com
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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