Ever since humankind learned to make and appreciate music, there has always been the urge to carry the sweet strains everywhere we go. What began as instruments allowing musicians to serenade their audiences where they stand, evolved to bring the musicians to the listener anytime, anywhere—and even beyond the grave. Around this desire for entertainment an entire industry of composers, artists, engineers, and a myriad of other professionals coalesced. Perhaps the best and most successful expression of portable music thus far is the iPod and the software/store that fits it like a glove iTunes.
What you might find surprising is that decades ago a Briton, Kane Kramer invented and patented a portable music device and an anti-piracy distribution system eerily reminiscent of mp3 players that came after it. Kane’s IXI system was even more forward thinking then than iPods were when released years later. Where the iPod had a hard drive the IXI had flash memory. It’s really interesting how great ideas could sometimes be conceived long before there exists the capacity to bring them to fruition.
[Wired via Gizmodo]
Nosowitz, Dan. “Suspiciously Prescient Man Files Patent for iPod-Like Device in 1979.” Gizmodo July 16 2009 <http://gizmodo.com/5315766/suspiciously-prescient-man-files-patent-for-ipod+like-device-in-1979>
Sorrel, Charlie. “Briton Invented iPod, DRM and On-Line Music in 1979.” Wired Sept 9 2008, July 16, 2009 <http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/briton-invented/>
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