What was the first CD pressed? This question has intrigued music enthusiasts and tech aficionados alike for decades. The advent of the Compact Disc (CD) marked a significant milestone in the history of audio technology, revolutionizing the way we listen to music. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating story behind the first CD ever pressed and its impact on the music industry.
The first CD was developed by Philips and Sony, two of the world’s leading electronics companies. The project, known as the “Philips-Sony Compact Disc” collaboration, aimed to create a new digital audio format that would replace the aging vinyl records and the less durable audio cassettes. The CD was designed to offer a high-fidelity sound quality, ease of use, and compact size.
The first CD was pressed on August 17, 1982, at the Philips plant in Hanover, Germany. This historic CD was a recording of the Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Herbert von Karajan. The recording was made by Philips’ in-house label, Philips Records, and it was released in Japan on October 1, 1982.
The development of the CD was a collaborative effort between several key individuals. Kees A. Schouhamer Immink, a Philips engineer, was instrumental in the development of the CD’s error-correction system. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the CD could maintain high fidelity even with minor scratches or other imperfections. Additionally, Peter Koen, a Philips engineer, was responsible for the CD player’s optical pickup, which played a crucial role in the reproduction of the audio signal.
The first CD was a groundbreaking achievement in several aspects. Firstly, it demonstrated the CD’s ability to produce high-fidelity sound, with a dynamic range that far exceeded that of vinyl records. Secondly, the CD’s durability was remarkable, as it could withstand scratches and dust much better than its analog counterparts. Lastly, the CD’s compact size allowed for an unprecedented number of songs to be stored on a single disc, making it a convenient format for both consumers and record labels.
The success of the first CD was not immediate, as it took time for the music industry to adapt to the new format. However, as more and more artists and record labels embraced the CD, it quickly became the dominant format in the music industry. By the early 1990s, CDs had all but replaced vinyl records and audio cassettes, and the CD player became a staple in homes and cars worldwide.
In conclusion, the first CD pressed, a recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, marked the beginning of a new era in audio technology. The collaboration between Philips and Sony, and the contributions of engineers like Kees A. Schouhamer Immink and Peter Koen, played a crucial role in the development of this revolutionary format. The CD’s high fidelity, durability, and convenience transformed the music industry and shaped the way we consume music to this day.
