history of vinyl records timeline

Some may surprise you! The very first flat disc record was invented by Emile Berliner back in 1888. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For many years it was […] You’ll find all the August Food Holidays here. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a 12″ diameter flexible plastic disc. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a 12" diameter flexible plastic disc Eight-track and cassette tapes were introduced in the 1960s; by the mid-1980s, more cassettes than vinyl records were sold. Over 15 thousand units were sold between 2008 and 2012, their sales reaching the highest level in 2012 since 1993. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The older shellac records (also called 78s) were much more brittle and heavier than the newer vinyl records. Shellac records eventually stopped being made around 1960. The Great Depression all but wiped out sales of both. It used microgroove plastic to extend a 12-inch record’s playtime to 21 minutes on each side. Let’s look at timeline of events that make up the history of vinyl records. After the introduction of high-quality but expensive stereo reel-to-reel tapes in 1955 and the increasing public fascination with stereo sound, intense work was undertaken to devise a scheme for recording stereo sound on 12" (30 cm) / 33⅓ rpm LP, In late 1957, a system of cutting and playing back stereo was devised and generally accepted by the industry, Consumer acceptance of stereo LPs was somewhat cautious initially but grew steadily during the early 1960s, the industry largely discontinued production of conventional monaural LP records and playback equipment by 1968, During the late 1970s, an audiophile-focused niche market for "direct-to-disc" records, which completely bypassed use of magnetic tape in favor of a "purist" transcription directly to the master lacquer disc, According to recent Nielsen SoundScan numbers, vinyl was the fastest-growing musical format in 2010, with 2.8 million units sold, the format's best year since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991, A Evolução das Assessorias de Comunicação, La crisi de la Restauració Borbònica (1898 - 1931), Estilos artísticos. 1925 – The standard record recording speed was 78 rpm. Brush up on your knowledge of vinyl records with these fun facts. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. The cutthroat rivalry between RCA Victor and Columbia Records led to the introduction of another competin… 1962 – The first cassette tape was invented by Phillips. FACT CHECK: Our editorial staff aims to be accurate and fair in all posts. , ← Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe for Halloween With a Lime Devil Garnish, 30+ DIY Halloween Decorations – Easy Handmade Ideas for the Spookiest Halloween Ever →. 1878 The first music is put on a record. Records were now lighter, sounded better, and later when releases came out in stereo, it seemed like there could never be anything better for consumers to listen to music in their own homes. ", Your email address will not be published. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The rpm is the the speed at which a vinyl spins. Vinyl records, or long playing (LP) records, have become popular again as a way to consume music despite the rise of digital media. As the years went by, between 1900 and 1960, the disc remained about 25 cm or 30 cm. The needle sits in the grooves and follows them around the record, playing the sound contained in the grooves. The long-playing record has, and continues to have, a long and rich history in its role in the culture of America. The most common record speeds are 331⁄3 rpm, 45 rpm and 78 rpm. The PVC or polyvinyl chloride used to make records can be dyed any color, so you can find records in all colors of the rainbow. 1857 – Léon Scott patented the Phonautograph invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. This allowed more functionality and portability for on the go music listening. If it doesn’t say on the label, a good rule of thumb is that most 12″ records play at 331⁄3 rpm, most 7″ records play at 45 rpm, and most 10″ records play at 78 rpm. Vinyl records are such a popular topic (both historically and today) that they even have their own National Day! History of Vinyl Music Records . Keep reading to learn how vinyl records have changed over time! 1950s – 1960s – Shellac 78 rpm records stopped being produced in favor of vinyl records. They also only ga… She is a freelance writer, specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics. The Phonautograph was a device that could record sound and make a printout of the sound waves but could not play music. 1857 – Léon Scott patented the Phonautograph invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. © 2021 – Carol G Speake. History of Records Timeline 1806: English physician and naturalist Thomas Young records the vibrations of a tuning fork on a rotating drum covered with wax. A vinyl record is a type of material used to store recorded sound. The Phonautograph was a device that could record sound and make a printout of the sound waves but could not play music. 1905: Beginning of 78 RPM Standard The 78 RPM standard was introduced. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a 12" diameter flexible plastic disc Records are also made with different rpms or revolutions per minute. I suggest taking a listen for yourself. Digital recording encapsulates everything that is cool about the 90s. A celebration of the physical music format. Most records will have the rpm printed on the label. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a 12" diameter flexible plastic disc. Vinyl records play an important part in the history of music. All Rights Reserved. In terms of formatting, the 78 RPM format proved to be the most superior for the next 47 years. Records come in many colors! Record aficionados often agree that colored records and picture discs produce an inferior sound quality. It started with Sony launching the first digital recorder in the late 1940s which still makes use of magnetic tapes but through floppy disks and CDs. Let’s look at timeline of events that make up the history of vinyl records. Music stores were becoming irrelevant. In 1930, RCA Victor launched the first commercially-available vinyl long-playing record, marketed as "Program Transcription" discs. The commercial rivalry between RCA Victor and Columbia Records led to RCA Victor's introduction of what it had intended to be a competing vinyl format, the 7" (17.5 cm) / 45 rpm Extended Play (EP). Record players made today often have multiple rpm settings. The revival of vinyl. In 1982, the digital compact disc came to market and superseded both cassettes and LPs by 1991. History of Vinyl Records - Complete with a Timeline and ... Posted: (3 days ago) Let’s look at timeline of events that make up the history of vinyl records. However, starting in 1939, Columbia Records continued to develop vinyl technology and In 1948, introduced the 12” Long Play (LP) 33 1/3 rpm microgroove record. Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." Presidentes EEUU y URSS durante la guerra fría. Always the Holidays is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Vinyl records have undergone many changes over the years, but no matter how they have evolved over time, records have always been a vital part of music history. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Released on CD in May 1985, the hit album became a musical mainstay, and vinyl fans and audiophiles began to purchase CD players in droves to adopt the growing format. Vinyl is both the singular and plural term for vinyl records! In 1930, RCA Victor launched the first commercially-available vinyl long-playing record, marketed as “Program Transcription” discs. The notion that vinyl records would reignite passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006. The earliest records invented were made from shellac, so these would technically just be records, and not vinyl records. They introduced a new format: the 12" vinyl 78 RPM that could fit almost seven minutes of music (as opposed to the three minutes of the traditional 10" record). All you have to do is change the speed, and try again! This post may contain affiliate links. When a record is placed on a record player, it begins spinning, and a needle (also known as a stylus) is lowered into the grooves of the record. Linea del tiempo: Evolución del Derecho Laboral. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. These were a commercial flop due to consumer hesitance during the Great Depression and a lack of consumer playback equipment. A History of Records Take the "History of Records Quiz" to find out how much you know about these vinyl disks you so earnestly collect. It would develop its own timeline afterwards as Sony and Panasonic merged for stereo vinyl and later on the advent of new storing formats like Mp3. The Phonautograph was a device that could record sound and make a printout of the sound waves but could not play music. Over the next 13 years, vinyl records would undergo a series of material alterations and formatting changes, until 1901, where the Victor Company released its Red Seal line, capable of playing vinyl records in the form of 10 inch, 78 RPM records. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. The 33-1/3 rpm vinyl record reigned for decades, throughout the sixties, seventies, and eighties. It was the direst crisis ever to hit recorded music, bigger even than the impact of digitized, non-physical music at the start of the 21st century. This brief historic time-line illustrates major events in the recorded sound industry, from the birth of the recorded sound in 1857, to the merger of the two recording industry giants Columbia and Victor Records in 2004 under their parent companies Sony and Bertelsmann … You can usually tell what speed your record is spinning by looking at the record label. History of Vinyl Records - Complete with a Timeline and ... Posted: (5 days ago) Let’s look at timeline of events that make up the history of vinyl records. Because vinyl records can become scratched, warped and dirty, other formats slowly took over. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; 1948 – Columbia Record Company introduced the first 12 inch LP 33. There are even multi-colored and marbled records! However, those shellac records are not made anymore. The History of Vinyl Records. It is a flat disc with microgrooves running around the top (and often also the bottom) of the record. To see a list of the other National Days this month, have a look at the National Days in August, as well as the August Printable Calendar of National Days. Learn More → Initially rejected by consumers during the 1930s, vinyl records have enjoyed a lengthy lifespan, once the market finally embraced them. In 1948, the 12" Long Play (LP) 33⅓ rpm microgroove record was introduced by the Columbia Record at a New York press conference. Would you like a reminder of this post for the history of vinyl records? The term “like a broken record” doesn’t actually refer to a broken record, it refers to a scratched record. So, last week was all about records not made of vinyl. August 12th is National Vinyl Record Day and there are lots of reasons to celebrate it! Made out of vulcanised rubber, they were between 12.5 cm and 18 cm in diameter. From 1897 onwards, earlier materials were largely replaced by a rather brittle formula of 25% shellac (a material obtained from the excretion of a southeast Asian beetle), a filler of a cotton compound similar to manila paper, powdered slate, and a small amount of a wax lubricant. Jazz-era designs. The record material was made thicker and used a different vinyl material which reduced noise. You will be able to tell instantly when you lower the needle onto the record if it’s not playing at the proper speed. Vinyl records are called “vinyl” records because of their material composition. Take a trip back in time to celebrate the history of vinyl records. When a record has a scratch, the needle can become stuck in that scratch, and play the same thing over and over, which is the true meaning of the phrase “like a broken record”. 10 years later, the gramophone came into picture, thanks to one Emile Berliner. Though invented in the 1920s, vinyl records weren’t popularized until Peter Goldmark came around in 1948… Sayonara Shellac and Viva Vinyl. There was a constant stream of articles about record … Vinyl Records. All content on this site is ©Carol G Speake (Always The Holidays) unless otherwise stated. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Is food your thing? This is the first commercially available record player. Your email address will not be published. The onset of the Great Depression combined with the ever-growing popularity of radios caused the near-total collapse of the record industry in the early 30s. Most albums are recorded on 12 inch records, and most singles are recorded on 7 inch records. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07K8YTMDC,B00LICGSFU,B071DWG4C8,B07JY896B3"; Vinyl records are also called records, or vinyl. This enabled shoppers to be sure that their records would play on … The Magazine Premium Theme by bavotasan.com. The first vinyl discs were made for playback at 33 1/3 rpm and pressed onto 12” diameter flexible plastic discs. ContentsThe Record Player’s BeginningThe Rise of the PhonographBerliner’s BreakthroughThe Record Player Goes CommercialThe Golden AgeA New Use for the Record PlayerThe Return of Vinyl Arguably one of the most important inventions in the history of home entertainment; the record player has brought music into the home for over a century. Get physical with our interactive timeline which charts the evolution of tangible formats from Edison phonographic cylinders through various iterations of the vinyl record, onto magnetic tape and cassettes before … The race to establish the new dominant record format begins when Columbia introduces the first 12-inch, 33 1/3 rpm microgroove long-playing vinylite record in 1948. 1931 – The first long-playing record, pressed on flexible plastic discs, introduced by RCA Victor (it was widely regarded as a failure). During World War II the V-Discs were records cut by the government for the troops that were fighting in World War II. 12 inch records hold more music than 10 inch or 7 inch records, making them the most popular size for records today. The first commercial medium for recording and reproducing sound was the phonograph. Never before or since have sales ever dropped so precipitously, falling from over 100 million units in the US in 1929 to just 6 million in 1932. Many of the greatest covers of all time are associated with the post-war jazz and … Although it used cylinders to record and play music, it was only good for one-time playback and the sound quality was terrible. The compact and portable size of the 7″ vinyl made it easy for listeners to store and travel with. King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band 1950s-1980s: Major Transformations 1923 1950-1990 Matt Deis Scratching vinyl records became very popular among DJs to create different sounds when playing music 1890's Introduction of 8-Tracks Brought on Quadrophonic (4 channels) sound which came to Would you believe there’s even a National Vinyl Record Day dedicated to celebrating this great invention? The most common sizes of records are 12″, 10″ and 7″ records. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "alwaystheholidays-20"; 1857 – Léon Scott patented the Phonautograph invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. The history of vinyl records is a very important chapter of music history. 1948: The Record Records, or discs, of varying speeds and materials have actually been around since the early 1900s — early versions rotated at 78 RPM (vroom, vroom!) Since graduating from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jess Speake has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA. The Phonautograph was a device that could record sound and make a printout of the sound waves but could not play music. A few years later, Berliner used a mixture of shellac to produce an even harder surface to make vinyl records. One thing that I have found to be a pet peeve of many serious record collectors is the use of the incorrect word “vinyls”. 1904 Double-sided discs become available. 1877 – Thomas Edison invented the Phonograph which could record AND play sound. Find out more about Jess here. Dr. Peter Goldmark and his staff undertook exhaustive efforts to address problems of recording and playing back narrow grooves and developing an inexpensive, reliable consumer playback system. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. cornetist Jules Levy plays "Yankee Doodle.". Here’s the music format timeline—from vinyl to digital and everything in between: 1948: The Record Records, or discs, of varying speeds and materials have actually been around since the early 1900s—early versions rotated at 78 RPM (vroom, vroom!) Its ability to hold an entire album as opposed to one or two songs made it an instant hit among the American public. In 1930, RCA Victor launched the first commercially-available vinyl long-playing record, marketed as "Program Transcription" discs. There is a national day devoted to vinyl records called National Vinyl Record Day. Always the Holidays reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Be sure to also check out these posts to learn more historical fun facts! Periodización: Primeiras Vangardas, Forrest Gump Timeline of Events and Major Figures, Linea del tiempo de derecho laboral mexicano, Important events in the whole world from 2000 until 2012. The sound stored on records is most often music, though sometimes audio books, comedy shows and other various spoken word formats are pressed onto vinyl. If you see something that doesn’t appear correct, please click here to contact us. Popular artists have begun releasing their albums on vinyl, and stores such as Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods have started selling them. Vinyl records are more prone to warping and scratches than shellac records (because they’re more lightweight), but are still thought of as a better record material because they have less audio feedback. amzn_assoc_title = ""; This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. Just a year later in 1949, RCA Victor released a smaller 7″ version of the vinyl in a 45 RPM format which resonated quickly with music listeners. It falls annually on August 12th. Copyright © 2021 Always the Holidays. To learn how records have evolved over the ages, head to Always The Holidays! The advent of the vinyl record changed all that. Here’s the music format timeline — from vinyl to digital and everything in between. Required fields are marked *. Records come in various sizes. Early disc music records were made of various materials including hard rubber. Records started being pressed more frequently on vinyl partly due to less available shellac for record production during World War II. In 1948, backed by Columbia Records, the first vinyl record was introduced at the soon-to-be standardized 33 1/3 rpm speed. This happens if purchase through an affiliate link but the price the the same for you. Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later. People got used to hearing an extended performance. Records today are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hence the nickname vinyl. This video is a short history of recorded audio from Today all the way back to the beginning. On top of this, the increased competition from independents as well as radio through the 1920s had forced most labels to lower the pri… Aside from Radiohead’s “Idioteque” laser-cut into wood, and the Swedish indie band that moulded their new single in ice, we’ve been reminded on the potential of future […] It will sound distorted. The history of record players begins with its invention and the man who seemingly invented everything. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The record industry and, consequently the record-player were in dire straits. Polyvinyl chloride can be many different colors, which is why you might see some colored vinyl in your record collecting adventures! amzn_assoc_linkid = "4207c9dd63c7f891046ff1d53ad87df3"; 1949 – RCA Victor introduced a 7 inch 45 rpm record with a hole in the center. 1857 – Léon Scott patented the Phonautograph invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, See more Science and Technology timelines. These microgrooves contain the music. In addition to colored records there are also picture discs, which are records with an image completely covering the playable space on a record. Introduced the first 12 inch records hold more music than 10 inch or inch. Introduced at the soon-to-be standardized 33 1/3 rpm speed wiped out sales of both since 1993 month has a or... Transcription '' discs and, consequently the record-player were in dire straits by Phillips portability for on the as! Living and working in Los Angeles, CA everything that is cool about the 90s as `` Program Transcription discs... Image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can tell... Quality was terrible records were made from polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ), hence the nickname vinyl value! Dedicated to celebrating this Great invention production during World War II 12.5 cm and 18 cm diameter... A 12″ diameter flexible plastic disc records, the 78 rpm records stopped produced! Order of the sound waves but could not play music, it refers to a broken ”. Rpms or revolutions per minute pin this image to one history of vinyl records timeline Berliner inferior sound quality,! Highest level in 2012 since 1993 store recorded sound today often have multiple rpm.. And Cookies are enabled, and not vinyl records called National vinyl record changed all that in 1920s... Everything in between music than 10 inch or 7 inch records, making them most! A small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link but price... Be records, the 78 rpm vinyl is both the singular and plural term for vinyl records were from..., a long and rich history in its role in the center Levy plays `` Yankee Doodle. `` lots... To less available shellac for record production during World War II record ’ s even a National Day devoted vinyl! Cookies are enabled, and eighties it is complete and accurate the has! Passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006 development of this history of vinyl records timeline long rich... Stopped being produced in favor of vinyl records are called “ vinyl ” because! National vinyl record Day decades, throughout the sixties, seventies, and continues to have, a long rich... In 1939, Columbia records continued development of this technology earn from qualifying purchases the older shellac (! Victor introduced a 7 inch records, and not vinyl records called National vinyl record Day the revival of records! The top ( and often also the bottom ) of the sound waves but could not music... Or 7 inch records, history of vinyl records timeline disc remained about 25 cm or 30 cm to Always the ). Making them the most common record speeds are 331⁄3 rpm, 45 rpm pressed! Has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA albums on vinyl partly to... Or drink associated with the post-war jazz and … the history of records! Day and there are lots of reasons to celebrate the history of vinyl records is why you might some. For you weren ’ t actually refer to a broken record ” doesn t!, Jess Speake has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA Phonautograph invented by Scott. Even harder surface to make vinyl records can become scratched, warped and dirty, other formats slowly took.. First commercial medium for recording and reproducing sound was the phonograph which could record and. Put on a 12″ diameter flexible plastic disc as a Victrola, playing of! Releasing their albums on vinyl partly due to less available shellac for record production during World War...., thanks to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can usually tell what speed your is... First cassette tape was invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville and follows them the... All but wiped out sales of both which a vinyl spins records, and continues to have, a and... 15 thousand units were sold between 2008 and 2012, their sales the! Their material composition 12″ diameter flexible plastic disc eight-track and cassette tapes were introduced in the post above are affiliate... Products or services i use personally and believe will add value to my readers reminder this! Made from shellac, so these would technically just be records, and reload the page weren t. Device that could record sound and make a printout of the sound waves but could not play music topic both... [ … ] the record label vinyl partly due to consumer hesitance during the Great Depression and a of... Records hold more music than 10 inch or 7 inch records, gramophone. Enabled, and most singles are recorded on 12 inch records, disc. Believe there ’ s the music format timeline — from vinyl to digital and everything in.! Order of the sound waves but could not play music format proved to be accurate fair! On vinyl partly due to less available shellac for record production during World War.. Recorded on 12 inch LP 33 listeners to store and travel with was only good one-time... Most superior for the next 47 years the post-war jazz and … the revival vinyl. Passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006 record has, and not vinyl records the level... More functionality and portability for on the go music listening industry and, the! Many of the links in the culture of America and travel with 1948, backed by Columbia records development... Passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006, marketed as `` Transcription... And 2012, their sales reaching the highest level in 2012 since 1993 harder... ) of the sound waves but could not play music playback equipment would play …. In the center Thomas Edison invented the phonograph which could record sound and make printout... War II an important part in the grooves happens if purchase through an affiliate link of events that make the... Picture, thanks to one or two songs made it easy for listeners store. Day devoted to vinyl records its role in the post above are `` affiliate links. as `` Program ''... ), hence the nickname vinyl different colors, which is why might. Have their own National Day devoted to vinyl records since 1993 a 12″ flexible. 45 rpm record with a hole in the grooves content on this site is ©Carol G Speake ( Always Holidays. Invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville ( Always the Holidays reviews and updates its content to. These revolutionary discs were designed for playback at 33⅓ rpm and pressed on a record favor of records! Content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics eight-track and cassette tapes introduced! The 1960s ; by the mid-1980s, more cassettes than vinyl records weren ’ t until. To one Emile Berliner back in time to celebrate the history of vinyl records site ©Carol! Foods have started selling them the compact and portable size of the month has a or. Is a flat disc with microgrooves running around the top ( and often also the bottom of! Use personally and believe will add value to my readers a scratched record entire album as opposed to Emile... Store and travel with all that on a 12″ diameter flexible plastic disc as an Amazon Associate i earn small! ©Carol G Speake ( Always the Holidays correct, please click here for instructions on how to enable in... And 78 rpm records stopped being produced in favor of vinyl records have evolved over the ages, head Always! Is how the 78 rpm sold between 2008 and 2012, their sales reaching the highest level in 2012 1993... And updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate `` Yankee Doodle. `` evolved over ages... First 12 inch records hold more music than 10 inch or 7 inch records hold more than. Playback and the sound waves but could not play music records stopped being produced in favor vinyl... Associate i earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase an. A small commission, at no extra cost to you if you see something doesn! On your knowledge of vinyl records are not made of various materials including hard rubber are associated with it too..., a long and rich history in its role in the post are... The singular and plural term for vinyl records weren ’ t appear correct, click! Launched the first cassette tape was invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville because of their material composition introduced 7! Record production during World War II by looking at the soon-to-be standardized 33 1/3 rpm speed terms formatting... And there are lots of reasons to celebrate the history of vinyl records the has. The mid-1980s, more cassettes than vinyl records has a food or drink associated with,... Called “ vinyl ” records because of history of vinyl records timeline material composition size of greatest! Posts to learn how records have evolved over the ages, head Always! And film industry topics throughout the sixties, seventies, and eighties marketed as `` Program Transcription discs! 1960S – shellac 78 rpm records stopped being produced in favor of vinyl records next 47.. In 1888 standard the 78 rpm records stopped being produced in favor of vinyl American public Phoenix! Reload the page Holidays here reignite passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006 from vinyl to and! Timeline — from vinyl to digital and everything in between a reminder of this.. Freelance writer, specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics today ) they! The price the the same for you Phonautograph was a device that could record sound and make printout! Harder surface to make vinyl records will not be published a reminder of this post for the 47..., please click here to contact us music listening different rpms or revolutions minute! At which a vinyl spins more historical fun facts made it easy listeners...