Some facts:
More than 200 billion CDs have been sold worldwide since then and it remains the dominant format despite the growth in digital downloads.
The CD was jointly developed by Philips and Sony and the disc has also become a key storage method for computer users.
The first CD produced was The Visitors by Abba.
The two companies began work on the format in 1979 and targetted a disc which could hold an hour of audio. The capacity was extended to 74 minutes, however, to accommodate a complete performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, forcing the disk to be made slightly larger.”
“The most advanced laser at the time had a lifespan of only 100 hours.”
He said the company had always planned on the format lasting at least 20 to 25 years.
The first CDs went on sale in November 1982 and were mainly classical recordings.
Classical music lovers were believed to be more affluent than pop and rock music fans, and Philips thought they would be more inclined to pay the price for the more expensive CDs and the very expensive CD-players,
The first models cost 2,000 Dutch guilders, about £1,000 at today’s rate, taking into account inflation.
“”The CD remained the most popular Christmas present in Britain last year. Despite the rise of downloading we expect that the CD will be here for many years to come.”
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