LP (Long Play)

An LP, or Long Play, is a type of vinyl record designed to play for a longer duration—usually around 20 minutes per side—compared to earlier records. Introduced in the late 1940s, LPs typically have a diameter of 12 inches and run at a speed of 33⅓ revolutions per minute. They store audio data as grooves etched into the surface, which a stylus reads to produce sound. LPs became the standard format for albums, offering high-quality sound and longer playing time, and are still valued by collectors and audiophiles today for their warm, rich sound.