A brief history of the compact disc

The Compact Disc (CD) is a digital optical disc format used for storing and playing back high-quality audio recordings and data. It was introduced to the world in 1982 by Sony and Philips, and it rapidly replaced traditional vinyl records and audio cassettes as the primary medium for music distribution.

The CD was a significant technological breakthrough, allowing for crystal-clear sound reproduction and reliable storage of data. The disc itself is 12cm in diameter and holds up to 700 megabytes of data. Unlike vinyl records and cassettes, the CD does not degrade with repeated use, making it an ideal medium for music and data storage.

The CD’s origins date back to the 1970s when Sony developed the first prototype, known as the Digital Audio Disc. In 1979, Sony and Philips formed a joint venture to create a standardised digital audio disc, and the result was the Compact Disc.

The CD’s commercial release in 1982 was met with great enthusiasm, with the first CD pressing being ABBA’s The Visitors. Initially, CDs were more expensive than vinyl records, but their superior sound quality and durability made them a worthwhile investment for music enthusiasts.

In the years following its introduction, the CD quickly became the dominant format for music distribution. By the mid-1990s, CDs were outselling vinyl records and cassettes by a significant margin. The popularity of CDs also led to the development of new technologies, such as CD-ROMs for data storage and CD players for cars.

In the early 2000s, the rise of digital music downloads and online streaming services began to challenge the dominance of the CD. However, CDs continue to be used for music distribution and data storage, and they remain a popular format among audiophiles who value their superior sound quality.

In addition to the standard CD, recordable CDs (CD-R) and rewritable CDs (CD-RW) were developed, allowing consumers to create their own CDs at home. CD-Rs and CD-RWs became popular for creating mixtapes and burning music from the internet.