first 10 record companies created in the united states
The recording industry in the United States has a long and storied history, with several record companies being established over the years. While it’s challenging to pinpoint the very first ten record companies, as some were short-lived or merged with others, here are ten early record companies that significantly contributed to the development of the industry:
- Columbia Records (founded in 1888) – One of the oldest surviving record companies, Columbia was originally known for its cylinder recordings and later became a major player in the vinyl era.
- Victor Talking Machine Company (founded in 1901) – Victor is famous for developing the Victrola phonograph and later merged with RCA Records.
- Edison Records (founded in 1888) – Founded by Thomas Edison, this company was a pioneer in the early phonograph industry but ceased operations in the 1920s.
- Okeh Records (founded in 1918) – Okeh was one of the first labels to focus on African American artists and played a crucial role in the growth of jazz and blues music.
- Paramount Records (founded in 1917) – Known for its “race records,” Paramount recorded significant blues artists during the 1920s.
- Brunswick Records (founded in 1916) – Brunswick was an early player in the industry and released recordings by various genres.
- Vocalion Records (founded in 1916) – Initially started as a label for popular and classical music, Vocalion also recorded blues and jazz artists.
- Aeolian Company (founded in 1901) – Though primarily known as a piano manufacturer, the Aeolian Company also produced music rolls for player pianos, contributing to the early recording industry.
- Gennett Records (founded in 1917) – Another label known for recording early jazz and blues artists, as well as other popular genres.
- Pathé Records (founded in 1894) – While initially a French company, Pathé Records established a presence in the United States in the early 1900s and became a significant player in the early recording industry.
Please note that the music industry was rapidly evolving during this period, with many mergers, acquisitions, and closures, making it challenging to present a definitive list. However, these ten companies played significant roles in shaping the early recording industry in the United States.
The early record companies mentioned in the previous response were founded by various individuals, and some of them changed hands or underwent management changes over the years. Here are some notable executives associated with these record companies:
- Columbia Records:
- Edward Easton – Founder of Columbia Phonograph Company, which later became Columbia Records.
- Victor Talking Machine Company:
- Eldridge R. Johnson – Founder of Victor Talking Machine Company.
- Edison Records:
- Thomas Edison – Founder of Edison Records and inventor of the phonograph.
- Okeh Records:
- Otto Heinemann – Founder of Okeh Records.
- Paramount Records:
- Arthur H. Satherley – Paramount’s main talent scout and producer during its most significant period.
- Brunswick Records:
- Emile Berliner – Founder of the United States Gramophone Company, which later became part of the Brunswick Corporation.
- Vocalion Records:
- Vocalion went through various ownership changes, and different executives were involved at different times.
- Aeolian Company:
- William B. Tremaine – President of the Aeolian Company, a piano manufacturer that also produced music rolls.
- Gennett Records:
- Starr Gennett – Founder of the Starr Piano Company, which launched Gennett Records.
- Pathé Records:
- Pathé was initially a French company, and information on specific executives running the U.S. operations is limited.
It’s important to note that some of these companies changed ownership or merged with others over time, leading to shifts in management. Additionally, the early recording industry was relatively unregulated, and there were numerous small and short-lived record companies that emerged during this period. As a result, the information on executives may not be as comprehensive or well-documented as in later decades.
First 10 movie studios that were created in the united states?
The early history of the American film industry is marked by the establishment of several movie studios. While it is difficult to identify the very first ten movie studios due to the fluid nature of the industry in its early years, here are ten of the pioneering studios that significantly contributed to the development of the American film industry:
- Thomas Edison’s Black Maria Studio (founded in 1893) – Often considered the first movie studio in the United States, it was created by Thomas Edison and located in West Orange, New Jersey.
- American Mutoscope and Biograph Company (founded in 1895) – One of the earliest film studios, Biograph produced numerous films and employed directors like D.W. Griffith.
- Edison Studios (founded in 1894) – Thomas Edison’s company also had its film production facilities in New York and New Jersey.
- Vitagraph Studios (founded in 1897) – An early movie studio located in Brooklyn, New York, and a prominent producer of silent films.
- Selig Polyscope Company (founded in 1896) – Founded by William Selig, this studio played a significant role in early film production.
- Essanay Studios (founded in 1907) – Notable for producing early Charlie Chaplin films, the studio was based in Chicago, Illinois, and later in California.
- Lubin Manufacturing Company (founded in 1902) – An early film production company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Kalem Company (founded in 1907) – An early film studio known for its travelogues and narrative films, located in New York and later in California.
- Pathé Frères (founded in 1896) – Although initially a French company, Pathé established a presence in the United States in the early 1900s and played a significant role in early film production.
- Universal Pictures (founded in 1912) – Universal is one of the oldest surviving American film studios, founded by Carl Laemmle and initially based in New York before moving to California.
Keep in mind that the early film industry was highly dynamic, with many independent companies and studios emerging and disappearing during this period. The list above includes some of the most prominent and influential studios of that time.