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12-Inch LP Record Information and History

The 12-inch LP, or long-playing record, has a long history. They have been constructed out of various materials and used for a purposes other than playing music. The 12-inch LP is still being made but production was reduced when compact discs entered the market. However, many people hang on to old LPs.

Comericals and Radio Programs
- Many records were used for radio commercials and entire radio programs up until the late1930s. Columbia records began using them for home entertainment and music. They began creating the technology in 1939 but the first 12-inch LP wasn't available until 1948. The early form of the LP was made from a variety of hard materials including shellac and hard rubber. This presented a problem with breakage as many of these LPs had to be sent through the mail to consumers. Later the industry began coating them with vinyl to reduce the breakage problem.
Speeds
- The first 12-inch LPs played at a speed of 33 and 1/3 revolutions per minute (rpm). They were first developed for the film industry. The12-inch 78 rpm records were used previously and could only hold up to 4 to 5 minutes of sound per side. Most films of the time were 11 minutes long. It was determined that a record speed of 32 rotations per minute was needed to play through the film continuously. The speed of 33 and 1/3 rpm was developed and enabled the system to be used on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1948 the long-playing record was invented. They could feasibly hold 60 minutes of music per side but according to History of Rock.com, most only played about 40 minutes per side. These LPs were popular until the early 1990s when the compact disc became the preferred method for playing music.
Music and Home Entertainment
- In 1939 Columbia records began work on an LP that could be played in the home with a phonograph. It wasn't until 1948 that the first 12-inch LP was introduced to the public. The LPs were typically made from vinyl or polystyrene and laid the foundation for the LPs to follow.
Collecting LPs
- People collect LPs for two main reasons. The first being nostalgia and the thrill of finding an old favorite. The other is for the appreciation value that some LPs can bring. For an LP to appreciate in value the sound quality has to be excellent. LPs on colored vinyl or with unique cover art are also highly sought. Finally, limited-edition LPs often become valuable but can also be hard to find.

Record Collecting