Headphones hold a significant role in our daily routines. It’s nearly impossible to walk around a city or college campus or shopping mall, or really anywhere these days without carrying headphones. It’s rare to not encounter numerous individuals donning either compact earbuds or large over-ear headphones. These devices have seamlessly integrated into our lives, becoming a part of everyday activities such as listening to music, podcasts, radio shows, or even participating in office meetings, etc.
Ever wondered when headphones were invented? Let’s check the History of Headphones:
The history of these devices is a captivating journey, transforming from a luxury to a modern-day necessity. Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a world without headphones, as they have become an integral part of our daily lives. In fact, the headphone industry has seen remarkable growth, with an incredible revenue of $22.3 billion and selling approximately 548 million units in just one year (2022).
Similar to many other technologies, headphones did not achieve their status as a massive industry overnight. Instead, their transformation into the advanced devices we use today was the result of decades of continuous innovation. The captivating story behind this evolution showcases the remarkable journey of headphones.
Curious about headphones’ origin story?
The origin story of headphones is a curious and intriguing journey. From their humble beginnings to becoming a ubiquitous accessory, the evolution of headphones reflects decades of innovation and technological advancements. Let’s explore this fascinating history!
1881: The 10-Pound Headphones
Long before the advent of MP3s and Spotify accounts, headphones had a different purpose than enjoying music. The earliest sighting of headphones dates back to 1881 when telephone operator women used them. These primitive headphones were single pieces resting on their shoulders and weighed over 10 pounds.
1895: The First “Earbuds”
In 1895, a significant advancement in the history of headphones occurred with the introduction of a new type of headphone designed for commercial or personal use in homes. These headphones had a stethoscope-like appearance. However, their high cost made them inaccessible to many due to affordability constraints.
1910: The First Official Audio Headphones
In 1910, engineer Nathaniel Baldwin made a groundbreaking contribution to the history of headphones by inventing the first pair that closely resembled the modern-day versions. At his kitchen table, Baldwin crafted headphones with two padded ear cups and two headbands, allowing them to rest comfortably on the head without the need for hands to hold them in place.
1937: The Headphones for personal listening
In 1937, Beyerdynamic’s DT-48 headphones revolutionized the industry, making headphones widely available for personal listening. Prior to this, headphones were mainly used in the military. The DT-48’s on-ear design and individual cables transformed headphone usage, bringing private audio enjoyment to a broader audience.
1949: AKG K 120 headphones, closed-type acoustic design
AKG’s debut model, the K120’s, was a bold entry into the headphone world. If reintroduced today, they would undoubtedly become a massive hit, selling out at places like Urban Outfitters. The success of this model led AKG to focus solely on the audio industry, leaving the film equipment business behind.
1958: The Birth of Brands
John C. Koss made a remarkable breakthrough with the creation of the first-ever stereo headphones, the Koss SP-3. These headphones introduced stereo sound, revolutionizing headphone design, and provided an immersive audio experience by directing sound into the ear canals. College students particularly embraced these groundbreaking headphones, meeting their audio needs like never before.
1959: Electrostatic headphones
In 1959, Stax introduced the world’s first pair of electrostatic headphones, the SR-1’s, at a Tokyo show. They quickly went into production, marking a significant milestone in headphone technology.
1968: Lightest Headsets
In 1960, Koss introduced a groundbreaking pair of headphones, the ESP-6’s, which were the world’s first electrostatic headphones. These innovative headphones weighed just 2 pounds, setting a new record for being the lightest headsets of their time.
1979: Portable Headphones
The long-awaited moment arrived when the first truly portable headphones were introduced. Among the most iconic headphones ever, the Sony Walkman made its debut, instantly captivating the hearts of almost everyone under 19 and older than 7. While parents might have disapproved of them, teenagers and skaters embraced these headphones with enthusiasm. The Sony Walkman stands as a prime example of the transition from early headphones to the modern era we live in today.
1980s: The In-Ear Headphone
In 1980, a new pair of headphones emerged, addressing the common concern of “headphone hair.” They introduced a wire-like band that was smaller and thinner than the Sony Walkman headphones, aiming to minimize the impact on the user’s hairstyle. This innovation paved the way for the introduction of both earbuds and in-ear headphones, which became popular choices in the 1980s.
1997: The Neckband Headphones
For those who wanted to maintain their hairstyle while also seeking better sound isolation than earbuds provided, Sony had the perfect solution: neckband headphones. These headphones offered a comfortable and stylish alternative, allowing users to enjoy their music without compromising on either hair or audio quality.
2000: Noise Cancelling Headset
In 2000, Bose launched the game-changing QuietComfort line with advanced noise-canceling technology. Perfect for frequent travelers, these headphones offered a peaceful and immersive listening experience, ideal for flights and train commutes. They quickly became the top choice for commuters seeking to escape external disturbances.
2001: Invention of iPod
In 2001, the iPod revolutionized portable digital music with vibrant commercials and smart marketing. Its success, alongside other MP3 players, boosted demand for affordable and lightweight earbuds, a trend that continues to thrive today.
2004: Bluetooth Revolution
Headphones improved over the decades, but wires remained constant. Bluetooth technology changed that, introducing wireless connectivity. Various Bluetooth versions in the last two decades enabled seamless connections between headphones and devices, offering wireless music enjoyment.
2008: Beats by Dre
Brands like Beats, UrbanEars, and Skullcandy made headphones fashionable with vibrant colors, large designs, and premium prices. Celebrities endorsing these brands added to their popularity and even earned profits through acquisitions and endorsements in the headphone industry.
2011: Bass-heavy Headphones
These headphones made the hip-hop and rapper lifestyle cooler. While Beyerdynamic and AKG excelled in the pro audio scene, a growing demand for quality audio after 2011 prompted other Hi-Fi brands to update classic models for nostalgia and introduce new headphones catering to bass-loving music enthusiasts.
2015: The First Truly Wireless Earbuds
Before 2015, wireless headphones had wires connecting the earpieces. Onkyo surprised everyone by releasing the first truly wireless headphones, offering a wire-free listening experience.
2017: Apple’s Airpods
Apple’s 2017 AirPods launch revolutionized headphones, surpassing Onkyo’s impact. These 4g lightweight earbuds introduced innovative features like double-tap audio pause and auto-pause when removed. Selling over 60 million units, AirPods became Apple’s top accessory, inspiring imitations.
2020 And BEYOND: The Future of Headphones
The removal of the 3.5mm audio jack in recent iPhones marks the increase in demand of wireless headphones. Modern headphones now serve beyond audio, functioning as heart rate monitors, hearing protectors, and personal trainers.
The future holds all-in-one devices with music storage, streaming, and virtual reality features. Headphones, with a century-long history, have become essential, evolving with technology and consumer demands.
