When does electronic music history begin? Many argue that the history of electronic music began with the invention of the record player in the 1870s. Certainly the invention of the phonograph by Thomas Alva Edison . Yes, the same Edison who invented the lightbulb. The record player allowed music lovers to enjoy a concert without leaving their living room! Of course, the music establishment worried that the record player would reduce overall sales, but instead record players allowed further expression of ideas. Not only could music be distributed internationally, for the first time in history, music could be preserved and archived for study. Phonograph Recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv7i-gkSWn0 Early Electronic Instruments There were a number of early electronic instruments from the 1900s. Among them were the Theremin (still in use today), the Ondes-Martenot , the Trautonium, and the Hammond Organ . Each of these instruments brought musicians one step closer to ...