History and Story Behind Inventions: LP Record

About the story behind the invention of the LP record, history and biography of inventor Peter Goldmark.

INVENTION: LP Record

INVENTOR: Peter Goldmark, U.S.

YEAR: 1948

HOW INVENTED: An employee of the Columbia Broadcasting System, Goldmark invented the 33 1/3-rpm record to overcome the interruptions to music made necessary by the constant need to turn over, then change, the old 78 rpm record. He received no royalties.

He is now president of CBS laboratories in Stamford, Conn. In lieu of royalties, he receives free copies of every LP produced by Columbia. Goldmark's LP Invention grossed more than $2 billion in the U.S. during 1972.