The first ever shellac record was recorded by Emile Berliner in the late 1880s. Berliner is credited with inventing the gramophone and the flat disc record. The earliest recordings were test recordings of various sounds, including speech and music, but one of the first notable commercial shellac records featured the song “The Lost Chord” performed by Sir Arthur Sullivan, recorded in the early 1890s.

However, the very first recordings on shellac discs were mostly experimental and not widely distributed, so the content varied. The introduction of shellac records marked the beginning of the commercial music recording industry.

The first shellac record to chart was “Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith, released in 1920.

Shellac discs were discontinued primarily due to their fragility and the advent of superior recording materials and technologies. Shellac records were brittle, prone to breaking, and had limited sound quality. The introduction of vinyl records in the late 1940s offered a more durable, flexible, and higher-fidelity alternative. Vinyl discs could be pressed with finer grooves, allowing longer playtime and better audio reproduction, which made shellac records obsolete in the consumer market. Additionally, the manufacturing process for vinyl was more efficient and cost-effective, further accelerating the shift away from shellac discs.

Shellac records are made primarily from a mixture of shellac resin, which is a natural secretion from the lac bug found in India and Southeast Asia, combined with fillers such as powdered slate and carbon black. This composition creates a brittle, hard material that was commonly used for producing phonograph records before the introduction of vinyl in the mid-20th century.

The speed of the first records was decided based on a combination of technical limitations and practical considerations. Early phonograph records, developed in the late 19th century, often played at around 78 revolutions per minute (RPM). This speed was chosen because it balanced sound quality, recording time, and mechanical capabilities of the turntables and motors of that era.

At 78 RPM, the grooves could be cut with enough detail to reproduce sound clearly, while still fitting a reasonable amount of audio on a disc. The electrical and mechanical technology of the time limited how fast or slow the discs could spin without causing distortion or excessive wear. As technology improved, other speeds like 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM were introduced to allow longer playtimes and better fidelity.

The first vinyl record was developed and introduced by the Columbia Records company in 1948. However, the invention of the vinyl record format is credited to Peter Carl Goldmark and his team at Columbia Records. They created the 12-inch 33 1/3 RPM long-playing (LP) record, which revolutionized the music industry by allowing longer recordings on one disc compared to the earlier shellac 78 RPM records.

Vinyl records are primarily made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic. The PVC is mixed with various additives to improve durability, flexibility, and sound quality. The manufacturing process involves pressing heated PVC into a mold that contains the grooves representing the audio recording. Sometimes, carbon black is added to the vinyl to enhance strength and reduce static electricity. The final product is a durable, flexible disc that can accurately reproduce sound when played on a turntable.

The first vinyl records were introduced in the late 1930s by RCA Victor. Prior to vinyl, records were typically made from shellac. One of the earliest vinyl records was the RCA Victor 78 rpm record released around 1939. However, the first widely recognized commercial vinyl record was the 12-inch 33 1/3 rpm long-playing (LP) record introduced by Columbia Records in 1948. This LP format revolutionized the music industry by allowing longer playing times and better sound quality compared to previous shellac records.

Vinyl records became popular gradually rather than from the very start. When they were first introduced in the late 1940s, vinyl records offered several advantages over earlier formats like shellac records, including better sound quality and greater durability. Their popularity grew significantly in the 1950s and 1960s as the music industry expanded and the LP (long-playing) vinyl format became the standard for albums. Over time, vinyl records became the dominant medium for music distribution until the rise of cassettes, CDs, and eventually digital formats.

The first vinyl records were introduced in the late 1940s, and they typically featured various artists depending on the record. However, the very first commercially released vinyl record was by RCA Victor in 1948. One of the earliest and most notable artists to appear on these early vinyl records was Bing Crosby, who was a major recording artist at the time.

The first artist to chart on a vinyl LP (long-playing record) was Bing Crosby. His album “Merry Christmas” released in 1945 is often credited as one of the earliest successful LP records and charted on Billboard’s album charts. The introduction of the vinyl LP by Columbia Records in 1948 revolutionized the music industry, allowing for longer recordings and the rise of the album as a format.

45 RPM singles were introduced in 1949 by RCA Victor. They became a popular format for releasing individual songs on vinyl records, especially for jukeboxes and radio play.

The first artist to chart on a 45 RPM record was Ricky Nelson with his song “I’m Walkin’” in 1957. The 45 RPM format was introduced by RCA Victor in 1949, and it quickly became the standard for single releases. Ricky Nelson’s success helped popularize the format in the rock and roll era.

The first UK number 1 LP was “South Pacific,” the original soundtrack, which reached the top of the UK Albums Chart in 1956.

The first number 1 LP (long-playing record) in America was “Songs for Young Lovers” by Frank Sinatra. Released in 1954 by Capitol Records, it is often credited as one of the first concept albums and marked a significant moment in the history of recorded music in the United States.

The first number 1 single in the UK was “Here in My Heart” by Al Martino. It reached the top of the UK Singles Chart on November 14, 1952.

The first number 1 single in the United States on the Billboard charts was “I’ll Never Smile Again” by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, featuring Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Best Sellers chart on July 27, 1940.

The attraction of vinyl records lies in several key aspects:

• Sound Quality: Many audiophiles appreciate the warm, rich, and authentic sound that vinyl records produce. Unlike digital formats, vinyl can capture a wider range of audio nuances, giving listeners a more immersive and natural listening experience.
• Tangible Experience: Vinyl records offer a physical connection to music. Handling the large album covers, reading liner notes, and carefully placing the needle on the record creates a ritual that many find enjoyable and nostalgic.
• Artwork and Packaging: Vinyl albums often feature large, visually striking artwork and detailed packaging, which can include posters, inserts, and lyric sheets. This adds an artistic and collectible dimension to owning music.
• Nostalgia and Retro Appeal: For many, vinyl records evoke a sense of nostalgia and a connection to the past. They are often seen as symbols of a bygone era of music listening, which can be appealing in a digital age.
• Collectibility: Vinyl records can be valuable collectibles. Limited editions, rare pressings, and vintage records can appreciate in value, making collecting vinyl both a hobby and an investment.
• Intentional Listening: Playing vinyl requires more engagement and attention than digital formats. This encourages listeners to experience albums as a whole, rather than skipping through tracks, fostering a deeper appreciation of the music.
• Community and Culture: The culture surrounding vinyl records, including record stores, fairs, and listening parties, fosters a sense of community among enthusiasts who share a passion for music and analog formats.

Overall, the attraction of vinyl records combines sound quality, physicality, aesthetics, and cultural significance, making them a unique and enduring medium for music lovers.

One of the most rare and valuable 45 RPM records in the world is the “My Bonnie” single by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles, released in 1961 on the German label Polydor. Early pressings of this record are extremely scarce and highly sought after by collectors, as it features The Beatles before they became famous. Another contender is the “That’ll Be the Day” / “In Spite of All the Danger” by The Quarrymen, the precursor to The Beatles, which is considered one of the rarest 45s ever. Additionally, some rare promotional or test pressings from various artists can also be incredibly valuable and rare. However, rarity can vary depending on condition, provenance, and specific pressing.

One of the most rare LPs in the world is The Beatles’ “The Beatles” (White Album) – Numbered Copy. Specifically, the very first pressing with the serial number 0000001 is extremely rare and valuable. Only a few copies with low numbers exist, and they are highly sought after by collectors.

Another contender is Elvis Presley’s “My Happiness” acetate, which was the first recording he ever made. This acetate is unique and incredibly rare.

Other rare LPs include:

• Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” – Only one copy was ever made.
• The Velvet Underground & Nico’s “Banana Album” with the original Andy Warhol banana cover and peelable sticker in mint condition.
• The Beatles’ “Yesterday and Today” with the “Butcher Cover” – original copies were recalled and destroyed, making surviving copies rare.

Rarity can depend on condition, edition, and provenance, but these examples are among the rarest and most valuable LPs known.

The most rare shellac records are typically early 78 RPM releases from the early 20th century, especially those produced in limited quantities or by small, regional labels. Some examples include:

• Okeh Race Records and Blues Records – Early 1920s records featuring pioneering blues and jazz artists, often pressed in small runs.
• Columbia Double-Face Records from the 1900s – Very early shellac discs, sometimes experimental or promotional issues.
• Test Pressings and Acetates – Unique one-off or very limited shellac discs used for evaluation before mass production.
• Records from defunct labels with limited catalogues – Small, regional labels that operated briefly and pressed only a handful of records.

Certain rare shellac records can fetch high prices among collectors, especially if they feature historically significant performances or artists, such as early blues, jazz, or folk musicians. Examples of highly prized titles include some original pressings of Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” (1920) and early recordings of Louis Armstrong.

Because shellac records were fragile and many were not preserved, surviving copies in good condition are especially rare.

The artist who has sold the most shellac records in the world is likely Bing Crosby. During the era when shellac records (78 RPM records) were the dominant format, Crosby was one of the most popular and best-selling artists globally, with numerous hit singles and albums released on shellac. His widespread popularity and prolific output contributed to massive sales of shellac records throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

The artist who has sold the most LPs (vinyl records) in the world is The Beatles. Their albums have consistently been among the top-selling vinyl records globally, with iconic releases such as “Abbey Road,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and “The Beatles (White Album)” contributing to their record-breaking sales.

The artist who has sold the most 45 RPM singles (45s) in the world is Elvis Presley. Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis’s singles have achieved massive sales globally, making him the top-selling artist in this format.