Believe it or not, its been 25 years since the first Compact Disc was
manufactured at a Philips factory near Hanover, Germany. Since then, more than 200 billion discs have been sold, enough to circle the
earth six times. The CD has also helped pave the way for other digital technologies including the DVD and Blu-ray.
Exactly 25 years ago tomorrow, on August 17, 1982, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) manufactured the
world’s first Compact Disc at a Philips factory in Langenhagen, just outside of Hanover, Germany. The invention of the CD ushered in a
technological revolution in the music industry as CDs - with their superior sound quality and scratch free durability - marked the
beginning of the shift from analogue to digital music technology. The CD became a catalyst for further innovation in digital
entertainment, helping pave the way for the launch of DVD and the current introduction of Blu-ray optical media. Having played a key role
in the innovation of digital music, at home and on the move, consumers continue to witness huge advances in entertainment and lifestyle
technologies.
I don't know about you, but this news makes me feel especially old as I grew up listening to music on
vinyl and cassette. If you'd like to read more about the history of the Compact Disc, head on over to Philips' website.
