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Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl
The story of recorded sound--the technological developments, the humans that made them happen and their impact on society, from the phonograph to LPs, EPs and the recent resurgence of vinyl.In Into the Groove, vinyl collector and music buff Jonathan Scott dissects a mind-blowing feat that we all take for granted today--the domestication of sound. Thomas Edison's phonograph, the first device that could both record and reproduce sound, represented an important turning point in the story of recorded sound, but it was only the tip of the iceberg, and came after decades of invention, tinkering and experimentation. Scott traces the birth of sound back to the earliest serious attempts in the 1850s, celebrating the ingenuity, rivalries and science of the modulated groove.He examines the first attempts to record and reproduce sounds, the origins of the phonograph, and the development of commercial shellac discs. Then he divulges the fascinating story of the LP record, from the rise of electric recording to the fall of 7-inch vinyl, the competing speed and format wars, and an epilogue that takes the story up to the present-day return of vinyl to vogue.Into the Groove uncovers tales of intrigue and betrayal, court battles and lesser-known names who are often left out of most histories. Discover a new appreciation of the not-so-simple black disc that holds a special place in the history of music and sound.
- GenresMusicNonfictionHistory
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2023
15 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Scott
244 books16 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
For the history professor, see Jonathan^^Scott.
For the history professor, see Jonathan^^Scott.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 16, 2023
2.5 stars
"I place the needle on the groove. And I still don't quite get it. How does it work? How is it that plastic - albeit plastic arranged in a very specific way - can sing? Not only that, it can sing for ages, and not only that but sing for ages with a full band, and not only that but sound so good it's like the band is right there with you . . . It's bumpy plastic being rubbed by a pliable spike. How can that be music?" -- on page 11
Into the Groove was an appropriately detailed book tracing trial-and-error developments of various formats for the use of recording / playing music over the last 150 years in Europe and the U.S. For whatever reason I found it only mildly or adequately engaging - even though 1.) I often enjoy recent history and pop culture and 2.) author Scott clearly did extensive research here and is a fair enough writer - so it generated only lukewarm interest. Other readers, however, may find it fascinating.
"I place the needle on the groove. And I still don't quite get it. How does it work? How is it that plastic - albeit plastic arranged in a very specific way - can sing? Not only that, it can sing for ages, and not only that but sing for ages with a full band, and not only that but sound so good it's like the band is right there with you . . . It's bumpy plastic being rubbed by a pliable spike. How can that be music?" -- on page 11
Into the Groove was an appropriately detailed book tracing trial-and-error developments of various formats for the use of recording / playing music over the last 150 years in Europe and the U.S. For whatever reason I found it only mildly or adequately engaging - even though 1.) I often enjoy recent history and pop culture and 2.) author Scott clearly did extensive research here and is a fair enough writer - so it generated only lukewarm interest. Other readers, however, may find it fascinating.
November 8, 2023
This is a history of recorded sound. Initially the inventors, Edison and others, thought this would benefit businessmen the most, as they could record their notes or whatnot. Reporters could record an event then dictate off that recording for their articles. The inventors didn’t foresee how music would dominate.
Jonathan Scott had done incredible research about the recorders and players, and the formats for these devices. In the early days it wasn’t clear if the cylinder, which was most popular, or the disc would win out. Later there were format wars of speed of the discs, and of course the materials used until we land on vinyl that is used today.
There’s an extensive glossary at the back, which I perused but didn’t thoroughly read. Links and pointers to old archives and the earliest recordings are included. All in all an extensive book and interesting, however it didn’t hold up to extensive reading. The writing style at times was a bit hokey, gimmicky with trying to make puns and otherwise funny remarks, but they fell flat for me. Not sure it matters terribly, but the writer is based in England so there was a focus more on the UK than the United States, so a little slant away from my own experience.
Musicophiles and those dedicated history buffs about things or stuff, may find this a more engaging read than myself.
Fun fact: Jazz was first known as jass but everyone thought the letter J would be too easily erased, so they switched the last letters to Z so we have: JAZZ.
Jonathan Scott had done incredible research about the recorders and players, and the formats for these devices. In the early days it wasn’t clear if the cylinder, which was most popular, or the disc would win out. Later there were format wars of speed of the discs, and of course the materials used until we land on vinyl that is used today.
There’s an extensive glossary at the back, which I perused but didn’t thoroughly read. Links and pointers to old archives and the earliest recordings are included. All in all an extensive book and interesting, however it didn’t hold up to extensive reading. The writing style at times was a bit hokey, gimmicky with trying to make puns and otherwise funny remarks, but they fell flat for me. Not sure it matters terribly, but the writer is based in England so there was a focus more on the UK than the United States, so a little slant away from my own experience.
Musicophiles and those dedicated history buffs about things or stuff, may find this a more engaging read than myself.
Fun fact: Jazz was first known as jass but everyone thought the letter J would be too easily erased, so they switched the last letters to Z so we have: JAZZ.
December 28, 2023
This thoroughly researched book touches on many of my areas of interest including history, music, and the science of how things work. I have learned so much about the history of recorded sound and am beginning to understand why I prefer certain music on vinyl rather than it's digital equivalent.
September 25, 2024
Interesting book about the history of records and recording equipment
November 29, 2023
Cool topic, more dense than I was looking for i fear
November 17, 2022
Full of history, full of interesting stories. Music fans will enjoy this!
This was an ARC
This was an ARC
June 30, 2024
Was hoping it'd be a little more interesting
April 18, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Bloomsbury USA for an advanced copy of the book on history of man's attempt to record the perfect sound, and make money on the process.
As a child I was a huge fan of making noise, and the large Hi-Fi stereo that was the size of a coffee table my parents had in the living room. It honestly was a piece of furniture, speakers hidden behind wood doors that would slide over, radio, and phonograph, able to play a stack a records, with a faint electric smell, and wonderful sound. I loved that system, and cried real tears when it finally departed this world. My Dad also had a reel-to-reel system, that I loved too, able to reverse, fast forward and record anything I wanted. And of course my own cassette recorder with tapes I would buy at the pharmacy, that I used to read books or movie lines into and play them for my younger brother, scared at how my voice sounded, but still in awe that I could do this. There have been others, micro cassettes, DAT recorders, I remember a car with an 8 track, but I don't think I was a fan, compact disc players and more. I have always been a found of making noise, and listening to music. And that is why I loved this book. Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl by collector and writer Jonathan Scott is a history from the earliest days of recording to the return of vinyl and the world of streaming music.
The book begins with the interest that humans have always had in trying to record music, from early hucksters, to inventors, whose successes might be lost to time. The idea of mechanically recording sound starts in the 1850s with the idea of making marks on paper with dust, or even on glass. From there we move to Thomas Alva Edison who made the phonograph an idea that he liked but had a hard time with finding the proper recording medium which made it hard to find investors to get behind. Edison let the idea slide, ignoring while working on many more ideas, until Alexader Graham Bell, who was so close whose idea of the gramaphone, pushed Edison back to inventing, and suing for the rights. As time went on so did the technology, as more and more people began to take an interest in recording sound, and companies began to spring up, to make money in this new medium.
Jonathan Scott has written a really wonderful history of recording and the different formats that have come along. Each page has different interesting facts and ideas, and a lot of recording mediums that I knew nothing about. Also Scott mentions websites where many of these early recordings can be found, as technology has found a way to read music off of paper, glass, and other early records. On the site one can hear how to enunciate worlds correctly, a bit of poetry, even the first curse word recorded. The book is very well written and extremely readable. Scott is able to show not only the technology used, by captures the different people involved, their strangeness and the hard work they were involved in. There is a tremendous amount of information, and really is a labour of love.
Recommended for music fans, and for burgeoning musical producers and engineers. Knowing the history of something that one is trying to work in can only help. A very good Father's Day for music lovers.
As a child I was a huge fan of making noise, and the large Hi-Fi stereo that was the size of a coffee table my parents had in the living room. It honestly was a piece of furniture, speakers hidden behind wood doors that would slide over, radio, and phonograph, able to play a stack a records, with a faint electric smell, and wonderful sound. I loved that system, and cried real tears when it finally departed this world. My Dad also had a reel-to-reel system, that I loved too, able to reverse, fast forward and record anything I wanted. And of course my own cassette recorder with tapes I would buy at the pharmacy, that I used to read books or movie lines into and play them for my younger brother, scared at how my voice sounded, but still in awe that I could do this. There have been others, micro cassettes, DAT recorders, I remember a car with an 8 track, but I don't think I was a fan, compact disc players and more. I have always been a found of making noise, and listening to music. And that is why I loved this book. Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl by collector and writer Jonathan Scott is a history from the earliest days of recording to the return of vinyl and the world of streaming music.
The book begins with the interest that humans have always had in trying to record music, from early hucksters, to inventors, whose successes might be lost to time. The idea of mechanically recording sound starts in the 1850s with the idea of making marks on paper with dust, or even on glass. From there we move to Thomas Alva Edison who made the phonograph an idea that he liked but had a hard time with finding the proper recording medium which made it hard to find investors to get behind. Edison let the idea slide, ignoring while working on many more ideas, until Alexader Graham Bell, who was so close whose idea of the gramaphone, pushed Edison back to inventing, and suing for the rights. As time went on so did the technology, as more and more people began to take an interest in recording sound, and companies began to spring up, to make money in this new medium.
Jonathan Scott has written a really wonderful history of recording and the different formats that have come along. Each page has different interesting facts and ideas, and a lot of recording mediums that I knew nothing about. Also Scott mentions websites where many of these early recordings can be found, as technology has found a way to read music off of paper, glass, and other early records. On the site one can hear how to enunciate worlds correctly, a bit of poetry, even the first curse word recorded. The book is very well written and extremely readable. Scott is able to show not only the technology used, by captures the different people involved, their strangeness and the hard work they were involved in. There is a tremendous amount of information, and really is a labour of love.
Recommended for music fans, and for burgeoning musical producers and engineers. Knowing the history of something that one is trying to work in can only help. A very good Father's Day for music lovers.
February 4, 2023
Into the Groove by Jonathan Scott is a detailed history of recorded sound, from the discoveries and experiments to the popularization and improvement of playback material.
This probably would have been more history than I would have wanted if it wasn't for the fact that Scott made it all so interesting. I learned far more than I expected, especially the time before records. Most people who came of age before the advent of CDs and all that has come after will remember their early experiences with records. Probably their parents' or sibling's albums. Both in my case, my dad's old 78s (mostly jazz and early swing) and 33s (swing and jazz again) while my sister had early rock and pop (Elvis, Sands, Haley, etc). Until I could use my allowance to buy my own, they bought records, mostly albums and a few 45s, for me. The first I bought with my own money was Revolver with my birthday money when I turned 8 in 1966. I never stopped buying them.
This book will both fill in any gaps you have (I had a lot) in the history of recording and playing back sound, as well as make you recall just how special it is to put an album on. He is absolutely right when he highlights how playing an album is different, and for many better, than just digitally pulling up a file.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in audio, from listening to the technical aspects. This is indeed a history, but one that is told in an engaging manner that keeps your interest piqued.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
This probably would have been more history than I would have wanted if it wasn't for the fact that Scott made it all so interesting. I learned far more than I expected, especially the time before records. Most people who came of age before the advent of CDs and all that has come after will remember their early experiences with records. Probably their parents' or sibling's albums. Both in my case, my dad's old 78s (mostly jazz and early swing) and 33s (swing and jazz again) while my sister had early rock and pop (Elvis, Sands, Haley, etc). Until I could use my allowance to buy my own, they bought records, mostly albums and a few 45s, for me. The first I bought with my own money was Revolver with my birthday money when I turned 8 in 1966. I never stopped buying them.
This book will both fill in any gaps you have (I had a lot) in the history of recording and playing back sound, as well as make you recall just how special it is to put an album on. He is absolutely right when he highlights how playing an album is different, and for many better, than just digitally pulling up a file.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in audio, from listening to the technical aspects. This is indeed a history, but one that is told in an engaging manner that keeps your interest piqued.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
February 2, 2023
Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl will be released on May 9, 2023. Bloomsbury USA provided an early galley for review.
From a very young age, recorded music has been a part of my life. The earliest record I remember listening to was Meet the Beatles when I was still under four years old back in the late 1960's. I remember my father's stereo record player that would occasionally shock me if I wasn't careful. He even had a set of classical records on 78rpm. Even then I was still fascinated how sound was captured on these disks and how it then could be released with a needle and amplifier.
This book dives into all the history of this music medium, going back to the days when sound could be recorded long before anyone figured out how to play it back. Scott's delivery of the history and the science is very accessible and easy to follow. He unfolds the story chronologically and provides some very deep-cut details into this area of the audio technology. He even explores the overlap between recorded sound and recorded images and the relationship between recorded sound and radio broadcasting. I learned quite a few things from this read.
One of the lines in the last paragraph of the last chapter really resonated with me. Paraphrasing, Scott reminds the reader that the format one listens to isn't important; instead, it is what one listens to and how it makes one feel that is most important. I very much agree with this sentiment.
From a very young age, recorded music has been a part of my life. The earliest record I remember listening to was Meet the Beatles when I was still under four years old back in the late 1960's. I remember my father's stereo record player that would occasionally shock me if I wasn't careful. He even had a set of classical records on 78rpm. Even then I was still fascinated how sound was captured on these disks and how it then could be released with a needle and amplifier.
This book dives into all the history of this music medium, going back to the days when sound could be recorded long before anyone figured out how to play it back. Scott's delivery of the history and the science is very accessible and easy to follow. He unfolds the story chronologically and provides some very deep-cut details into this area of the audio technology. He even explores the overlap between recorded sound and recorded images and the relationship between recorded sound and radio broadcasting. I learned quite a few things from this read.
One of the lines in the last paragraph of the last chapter really resonated with me. Paraphrasing, Scott reminds the reader that the format one listens to isn't important; instead, it is what one listens to and how it makes one feel that is most important. I very much agree with this sentiment.
October 31, 2025
I've read other books about the development of recording, but they've gone into the music, and I've loved that ("Electric Shock" is one of my favorites). But this sticks to the technology, and that was a revelation.
This is an accessible book, with a lot of anecdotes and attempts to discover how recording came about. And because memories fail or have agendas (economic mostly), there are a number of stories out there. The author tells them all and the helps make sense of it all.
It starts with Edison and Bell, and then goes through refinements and developments that took recording to the people. Most of the tale bounces between the US and the UK, until the Germans discover magnetic recording.
The book ends with the rediscovery of vinyl in the recent age, and leaves us the question of what happens next. Whatever happens, there will always be recorded music and people eager to listen it.
As an aside, it's nice to see a published author use the word "thingy" as much as I do!
A nice book, which would be perfect with pictures.
This is an accessible book, with a lot of anecdotes and attempts to discover how recording came about. And because memories fail or have agendas (economic mostly), there are a number of stories out there. The author tells them all and the helps make sense of it all.
It starts with Edison and Bell, and then goes through refinements and developments that took recording to the people. Most of the tale bounces between the US and the UK, until the Germans discover magnetic recording.
The book ends with the rediscovery of vinyl in the recent age, and leaves us the question of what happens next. Whatever happens, there will always be recorded music and people eager to listen it.
As an aside, it's nice to see a published author use the word "thingy" as much as I do!
A nice book, which would be perfect with pictures.
May 8, 2023
Jonathan Scott's Into the Groove: The Story of Sound from Tin Foil to Vinyl is the human history of recorded sound as a physical object. Scott discusses the steady development of innovation and widespread acceptance of the record. He looks at it as an industrially developed product and recorded music as a commodity. From Edison's labs to the space launched golden record and beyond.
While coverage of some 150 years of development could sound dense and tedious, Scott quite ably condenses the history documenting the key developments and the people responsible for them. It is both comprehensive, but detailed. We learn of the various mediums used for recorded sound: wax, treated cardboard, shellac and vinyl. Scott also extends the narrative to discuss the brief post vinyl period of CDs and mp3s.
It is intended to be a popular history, but has enough detailed content to appeal to those more interested in the development and challenges of recording or music in general.
I received a free digital version of this eBook via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
While coverage of some 150 years of development could sound dense and tedious, Scott quite ably condenses the history documenting the key developments and the people responsible for them. It is both comprehensive, but detailed. We learn of the various mediums used for recorded sound: wax, treated cardboard, shellac and vinyl. Scott also extends the narrative to discuss the brief post vinyl period of CDs and mp3s.
It is intended to be a popular history, but has enough detailed content to appeal to those more interested in the development and challenges of recording or music in general.
I received a free digital version of this eBook via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
November 27, 2024
Jonathan Scott's "Into the Groove" is a captivating exploration of the evolution of sound recording technology, from the early days of tin foil cylinders to the resurgence of vinyl records. Scott's engaging writing style and meticulous research bring to life the stories of inventors, musicians, and engineers who shaped the way we listen to music.
Through a blend of historical anecdotes, technical explanations, and personal reflections, Scott delves into the cultural impact of various formats, from 78 rpm records to cassette tapes. He examines the rise and fall of different technologies, highlighting the enduring appeal of analog sound. "Into the Groove" is a must-read for music enthusiasts and technology buffs alike, offering a nostalgic journey through the soundscape of the past century.
Through a blend of historical anecdotes, technical explanations, and personal reflections, Scott delves into the cultural impact of various formats, from 78 rpm records to cassette tapes. He examines the rise and fall of different technologies, highlighting the enduring appeal of analog sound. "Into the Groove" is a must-read for music enthusiasts and technology buffs alike, offering a nostalgic journey through the soundscape of the past century.
March 21, 2025
Why no illustrations?
I really was expecting more when I bought this book. I have always enjoyed quirky micro history books and thought this was going to be another title I would thoroughly enjoy, but about half way through it really bogged down for me. So many names, companies, models, slight improvements - jumping from US to Britain. It grew tiresome. Those parts I found interesting left me frustrated because there was not a single picture or illustration in the entire book. The book would have been great if it was presented as an oversized coffee table with lots of details and pictures. Sure, as the author so “helpfully” points out numerous times, you can find this or that online, it would have been a better book if the author/publisher had included visuals.
I really was expecting more when I bought this book. I have always enjoyed quirky micro history books and thought this was going to be another title I would thoroughly enjoy, but about half way through it really bogged down for me. So many names, companies, models, slight improvements - jumping from US to Britain. It grew tiresome. Those parts I found interesting left me frustrated because there was not a single picture or illustration in the entire book. The book would have been great if it was presented as an oversized coffee table with lots of details and pictures. Sure, as the author so “helpfully” points out numerous times, you can find this or that online, it would have been a better book if the author/publisher had included visuals.
August 3, 2023
This is a well-researched and historically comprehensive book about a topic dear to my heart, but it isnt always a very interesting book.
It probably could have benefitted from illustrations too. Even when it approached topics i was anxious to read about, like how engineers figured out how to cut stereo grooves in vinyl, it didn't do a great job of explaining the tech.
I like the author's voice and approach for the book, but after spending my working days reading patents, I guess I hoped to be more engaged by this.
It probably could have benefitted from illustrations too. Even when it approached topics i was anxious to read about, like how engineers figured out how to cut stereo grooves in vinyl, it didn't do a great job of explaining the tech.
I like the author's voice and approach for the book, but after spending my working days reading patents, I guess I hoped to be more engaged by this.
June 6, 2024
Any fan of listening to music on vinyl will enjoy this book.
From Edison's early experiments with sound recording on wax cylinders, Scott guides the reader through an intriguing history of competition and cooperation in the quest for perfect sound reproduction.
Scattered liberally throughout the book are suggestions for further investigation and links to historically important way-points on the journey.
'Into The Groove' is packed with insights and anecdotes surrounding the pioneers who have taken us from scratched, crackly sounds right through to loss-less audio.
From Edison's early experiments with sound recording on wax cylinders, Scott guides the reader through an intriguing history of competition and cooperation in the quest for perfect sound reproduction.
Scattered liberally throughout the book are suggestions for further investigation and links to historically important way-points on the journey.
'Into The Groove' is packed with insights and anecdotes surrounding the pioneers who have taken us from scratched, crackly sounds right through to loss-less audio.
July 21, 2023
Detailed history of vinyl records focusing on artists, inventors and record companies but not such a good dive into the detailed way they are produced. No illustrations for instance showing the groves, how info was coded, actual machines, etc.
However, the author had to do extensive research to write this and it should be muchly appreciated by people in the music industry.
However, the author had to do extensive research to write this and it should be muchly appreciated by people in the music industry.
February 19, 2024
I enjoyed reading this and learned quite a lot about something I use often and actually don’t know much about. I liked the history better than the science, and this book contained much more history than science. It was relatively short and easy to pick up and put down. Engaging enough, but not so much that I couldn’t stop reading.
October 4, 2025
A book about the history of sound from Thomas Edison through all of the types of vinyl, then onto other recording tapes and discs. Even looking at record players, tape players, including reel-to-reel recording, which you don’t hear or see too many of, I still have my father's, along with some tapes, so it was nice to read about them. Overall, a good book.
August 11, 2023
A very interesting read about the history or vinyl and recording. It is not dry in nature of writing and keeps you reading.
It is a history of the process so do not expect a lot of writing about actual recording artists in this book. You will not get that.
It is a history of the process so do not expect a lot of writing about actual recording artists in this book. You will not get that.
July 31, 2025
useful history. the attempts at humor aren't always A+, and it's definitely British-centric at points so prepare for that going in, but it does very well at handling a bunch of disparate influences and stories in such a small package.
March 5, 2023
(If half stars were an option I'd give it 3.5)
May 16, 2023
Super informative and interesting book about the history of musical methods, absolutely loved this book as a fan of vinyls
April 30, 2024
Seemed pretty thorough. I enjoyed the first half better than the second half. Worth the read if you like reading about the development of specific technology.
December 2, 2024
I got a little lost in the details and in the end did not care enough to go back and fix that
February 26, 2025
Really only half read, but found a good stopping point. Would have appreciated some illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews