The Evolution Of Home Audio Over 162 Years

It’s been quite a journey for home audio, as it has been at the forefront of technology for an unbelievable 162 years. We may think it all started with Edison’s cylinder recorder/player, but in fact Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville beat him by 20 years, inventing the Phonautograph in 1857, transcribing sound waves onto smoke-blackened paper or glass.

From the Gramophone in 1888 to the first record player in 1920, the first reel-to-reel tape machine in 1947, the first in-car radio (courtesy of Blaupunkt) in 1950, through the beginning of digital audio playback technology with the CD in 1982, if there’s been a new technological development, home audio (and pro audio for that matter) has been right there with it.

From the first headphones made by John Koss in 1958, to Logitec’s Bluetooth speakers in 2013, the immersive sound of Apple’s HomePod, to IKEA’s own upcoming Bluetooth speakers in 2019, there’s been a search for better quality reproduction and portability (with varying results, as we all know).

This excellent infographic from VPOnline takes us through the evolution of home audio from the beginning right up to now. I’m sure you’ll find it as informative and enjoyable as I did.