ShellacPlatten

ShellacPlatten, commonly known as shellac records, were the dominant format for commercial phonograph discs from the early 20th century until the late 1940s. They are made primarily from shellac resin pressed with fillers, yielding a tough but brittle material that can crack or warp if mishandled. The standard playback speed was 78 revolutions per minute. The most common diameters were 10 inches (25 cm) and 12 inches (30 cm), with 10-inch discs typically providing about three to four minutes of audio per side and 12-inch discs offering longer program material.

Grooves on shellacPlatten are usually lateral cuts, though some early pressings used vertical grooves; the groove density and mastering quality varied by label and era. Sound quality depended on the cutting master, the pressing process, wear from use, and the playback equipment. Compared with later vinyl records, shellacPlatten generally exhibit higher surface noise and more pronounced wear after repeated play.

History and use: ShellacPlatten emerged in the first decades of the 20th century as the standard format, replacing wax cylinders and coexisting with early vinyl experiments. They peaked in production and popularity before vinyl became dominant in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They were produced by many major labels and carried a wide range of genres, from classical and operatic recordings to popular songs and spoken word.

Preservation: Today, shellacPlatten are collected for historical value. They are worn-out more quickly than vinyl and require careful handling, storage away from heat and moisture, and gentle cleaning to preserve grooves.