The phonograph record (for gramophones) was invented in 1887 by German-born American Emile Berliner (1851-1929). Its flat, rotating disc caused the needle to move horizontally across the recording, rather than vertically, as was the case with the cylinders used earlier. Berliner's phonograph record reduced sound distortion and was easier to manufacture than the cumbersome wax cylinders. The first phonograph records were made from a mixture of hard rubber, cotton, and powdered slate. Later, shellac (a commercial resin) was used, invented in 1896. Phonograph records had two sides, but the double-sided record did not become common until 1923. They came in three sizes, 7, 10, and 12 inches, and originally played at 75 or 80 rpm. Most record manufacturers opted for 78 rpm records. A 10-inch record could hold 3 minutes of music on each side. The records used spiral grooves to record sound analogically. The groove began at the outer edge and gradually moved toward the center. Sound was recorded on the record using a sharp needle that oscillated from one side of the groove to the other, according to the sound frequency.

The beloved 12-inch LP (long play) record was created in 1932. It ran at 33 rpm and could record 25 minutes of music on each side. Vinyl records were more durable than their fragile shellac predecessors. 7-inch 45 rpm vinyl records replaced 78 rpm shellac records with the advent of rock 'n' roll.