On this day 70 years ago, the dream of a Columbia Records president to hear an entire symphonic movement on one side of an album came to life, as mass production began on the 33-rpm long-playing (LP) record.

Edward Wallerstein cajoled a team of a thousand men to manufacture the new disk, which could hold 23 minutes of music per side, instead of 3 minutes, like the standard records of the day that spun quickly at 78-rpm. The first LP manufactured was The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor played by Nathan Milstein with Bruno Walter conducting the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York. (1948)

(Featured photo by Knipsermann, CC)

MORE Good News on this Day:

  • Susan B. Anthony attempted to vote in the 1872 presidential election when women were still not allowed— but, was fined $100 (1873)