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The journey of the compact disc began in the late 1970s, inspired by emerging laser technology that promised the ability to read data without physical contact. The initial aim was to create a video disc, but interest waned. Phillips seized upon the idea, pivoting to develop a portable audio medium that could overcome the limitations of vinyl records and cassette tapes.
The partnership with Sony was pivotal. While Phillips excelled at creating the disc, Sony contributed expert knowledge in digital audio conversion. Together, they established critical standards for CDs, known as “The Red Book,” which laid the groundwork for their eventual success. In 1982, the first production CD player and CDs were launched to market, featuring albums from notable artists.