The "Berliner" (recording technology)

The "Berliner" refers to the early vinyl record format developed by Emil Berliner in the late 19th century. Unlike wax cylinders, which stored sound on a cylindrical surface, Berliner’s disc records used a flat, circular disc with grooves engraved into its surface. When played on a compatible turntable, a needle (or stylus) tracked these grooves, converting physical undulations into electrical signals that produced sound. This innovation made records easier to produce, store, and reproduce, and laid the foundation for the modern format of music distribution, enabling mass production and widespread listening.