On this day August 17 1982, the first mass production of compact discs began at a factory in Langenhagen, Germany. This breakthrough marked the start of a new era in music technology, offering a clearer, more durable alternative to vinyl records and cassette tapes. The very first commercial CD pressed was a copy of ABBA’s album “The Visitors.”
Compact discs quickly transformed the way people listened to music, offering the ability to skip tracks instantly and enjoy noise-free playback. Their small size and durability made them a hit among consumers, and artists embraced the format for its high-quality sound reproduction. The technology would debut in the United States on March 2 1983, sparking a revolution in home and portable music listening.
80s insight: The arrival of CDs in the early 80s signaled the shift toward digital music, paving the way for future innovations like MP3s and streaming while becoming an icon of the decade’s tech driven culture.
Compact discs quickly transformed the way people listened to music, offering the ability to skip tracks instantly and enjoy noise-free playback. Their small size and durability made them a hit among consumers, and artists embraced the format for its high-quality sound reproduction. The technology would debut in the United States on March 2 1983, sparking a revolution in home and portable music listening.
80s insight: The arrival of CDs in the early 80s signaled the shift toward digital music, paving the way for future innovations like MP3s and streaming while becoming an icon of the decade’s tech driven culture.
