The LP (Long Playing) record, developed by Columbia Records, is officially announced at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. This introduction marked a significant advancement in recorded music, allowing for significantly longer playing times compared to the existing 78 RPM records.
The LP quickly became the standard format for albums, leading to the concept album and a shift in how music was conceived and consumed.It was made from a durable vinyl material, known as "Vinylite," which was lighter and more durable than the shellac used for 78s and held up to 23 minutes per side. The first vinyl record in the modern sense was a 12-inch LP featuring Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, featuring Nathan Milstein and the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, conducted by Bruno Walter.
