| 1841 |
|
Augustin-Louis Cauchy Proposes a Sampling Theorem. |
| 1842 |
|
Charles Babbage Proposes analytical engine for performing and
storing calculations. |
| 1854 |
|
George Boole publishes "An Investigation into the Laws of Thought."
A book that contained, among other things, theories that were later used to
build digital circuits. |
| 1855 |
|
Leon Scott de Martinville invents the phonoautograph, a machine that
records vibrations on a carbonized paper cylinder. |
| 1876 |
|
Alexander Graham Bell introduces the telephone |
| 1877 |
|
Thomas Edison invents the phonograph while trying to invent a
device that would record and repeat telegraphic signals (digital) |
| 1887 |
|
Emily Berliner replaces Edison's wax cylinder phonograph with the
audio disc. |
| 1915 |
|
78 R.P.M records introduced |
| 1922 |
|
J.R. Carson examines the idea of time sampling for communications |
| 1928 |
|
Harry Nyquiest publishes "Certain Topics in Telegraph Transmission
Theory." His theory contained proof that the technology used in today’s
audio CDs could work.
33 1/3 Records Introduced |
| 1937 |
|
A. Reeves invents pulse code modulation (PCM), a technology used
by computers and CD's for audio in the present day.
H. Aiken from Harvard approaches IBM and proposes an electrical
computing machine. |
| 1943 |
|
The U.S. Army turns on the first computer (ENIAC) at the University
of Pennsylvania. |
| 1947 |
|
Magnetic Tape Recorders hit the U.S. market. |
| 1948 |
|
The transistor is invented by Bell Laboratories.
Claude E. Shannon publishes "A Mathematical Theory of Communication."
-- Yet another important development for theories used in CD technology |
| 1949 |
|
45 rpm records hit the U.S. market, thanks to microgroove
technology. |
| 1950 |
|
Richard W. Hamming publishes information about error
detection/correction codes. It would be impossible for CD's to work without
error correction. |
| 1958 |
|
Invention of the Laser.
Stereo LP's produced.
Integrated Circuit introduced by Texas Instruments |
| 1960 |
|
Computer Music experiments take place at major laboratories.
I.S. Reed and G. Soloman publish information on multiple error correction
codes. These come to be known as the "Reed-Solomon" Codes which are
the codes used for encoding and reading CD's.
Working Laser produced. |
| 1967 |
|
NHK Technical Research Institute demonstrates a 12-bit PCM digital
audio recorder with a 30 kHz (30,000 times per second) sampling rate. The
digital recording goes onto a high-grade video tape. |
| 1969 |
|
Sony introduces its 13-bit PCM digital recorder at a 47.25 kHz (47,250
times per second) sampling rate. The digital recording is sent to a 2" video
tape. Class Company, a Dutch physicist comes up with the idea for the Compact
Disc. |
| 1970 |
|
At Philips, Company and Pete Kramer complete a glass disc
prototype and determine that a laser will be needed to read the information. |
| 1971 |
|
Microprocessor produced by Intel
Digital Delay line used by BBC's studios (first digital audio device). |
| 1972 |
|
Company and Kramer produce color prototype of this new compact
disc technology |
| 1973 |
|
BBC and other broadcast companies start installing digital recorders
for master recordings. |
| 1977 |
|
Mitsubishi, Hitachi & Sony show digital audio disc prototypes at the
Tokyo Audio Fair. JVC Develops Digital Audio Process |
| 1978 |
|
Philips releases the video disc player
Sony sells the PCM-1600 and PCM-1 (digital audio processors)
"Digital Audio Disc Convention" Held in Tokyo, Japan with 35 different
manufacturers.
Philips proposes that a worldwide standard be set.
PolyGram (division of Philips) determined that polycarbonate would be the
best material for the CD.
Decision made for data on a CD to start on the inside and spiral towards
the outer edge.
Disc diameter originally set at 115mm.
Type of laser selected for CD Players. |
| 1979 |
|
Prototype CD System demonstrated in Europe and Japan.
Sony agrees to join in collaboration.
Sony & Philips compromise on the standard sampling rate of a CD -- 44.1
kHz (44,100 samples per second)
Philips accepts Sony's proposal for 16-bit audio.
Reed-Solomon code adopted after Sony's suggestion.
Maximum playing time decided to be slightly more that 74 minutes.
Disc diameter changed to 120mm to allow for 74 minutes of 16-bit stereo
sound with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz |
| 1980 |
|
Compact Disc standard proposed by Philips & Sony. |
| 1981 |
|
Matsushita accepts Compact Disc Standard
Digital Audio Disc Committee also accepts Compact Disc Standard.
Sharp achieves production of semiconductor laser.
Philips & Sony collaboration ends. |
| 1982 |
|
Sony & Philips both have product ready to go.
Compact Disc Technology is introduced to Europe and Japan in the fall. |
| 1983 |
|
Compact Disc Technology is introduced in the United States in the
spring
The Compact Disc Group formed to help market.
CD-ROM Prototypes shown to public
30,000 Players sold in the U.S.
800,000 CD's sold in the U.S. |
| 1984 |
|
Second Generation & Car CD players introduced.
First Mass Replication Plant in the United States built.
Portable (i.e., Sony Discman) CD Players sold. |
| 1985 |
|
Third generation CD Players released.
CD-ROM drives hit the computer market. |
| 1986 |
|
CD-I (Interactive CD) concept created.
3 Million Players sold in U.S.
53 Million CD's sold in U.S. |
| 1987 |
|
Video CD format created.
Allen Adkins of Optical Media International joins with SonoPress in
Amsterdam and demonstrates a desktop system for pre-mastering CD's
(Adkins and SonoPress, produced a replicated CD in less than 24-hours
using this system). |
| 1988 |
|
CD-Recordable Disc/Recorder Technology Introduced |
| 1990 |
|
28% of all U.S. households have CD's.
9.2 million players sold annually in the United States.
288 million CD's sold annually in the United States.
World Sales close to 1 Billion |
| 1991 |
|
CD-I format achieved.
CD-Recordable Introduced to the Market
"QuickTopix" the first CD-R pre-mastering Software introduced by Allen
Adkins. |
| 1992 |
|
CD-R Sales reach 200,000 |
| 1996 |
|
DVD Technology Introduced.
Prices of Recorders and CD-R Media go down significantly.
High Demands cause World-Wide CD-R Media Shortage. |
| 1997 |
|
DVD Released.
DVD Players/Movies hit consumer market.
DVD-R standard created (3.9 Gig).
Mitsui builds its first CD-R production plant in the U.S.
World-wide shortage ends.
Price of CD-R media lower than ever imagined. |
| 1998 |
|
DVD-RAM, DVD-Recordable systems/equipment hits market.
DVD-Video/ROM authoring tools hits the market.
CD-R prices continue to drop. |
| 1999 |
|
DVD-Video Becomes main stream.
Consumers begin purchasing DVD Players & Movies on a mass level.
Most major film studios have titles on DVD.
DIVX Dies (Digital Video eXpress).
Second Generation DVD Burners.
4.7 Gig DVD-R Media Developed. |
