Brief History of CD Cover and Album Sleeves

 

This is a very brief history of album sleeve’s, which led to the eventual use of CD cover designs. The whole thing started with designer Alex Steinweiss, who worked for Columbia Records in 1939. Since then, record bosses and consumers alike employed the concept of tagging artwork and music together for the benefit of the musician, artist and buyer.

 

So, album sleeves became a very important part of music history, especially as they were used as marketing tools. They were some different types of sleeve, including gatefold designs (where there was a folded double cover), as well as inserts that were cut out.

Album covers were primarily made from cardboard, and as such, were prone to either peeling at the edges and accumulating general damage through continual use. Because LP's inside these alum covers were also prone to damage and scratching, inserts were developed to slip over them. These were usually made from paper, and slipped inside the main Album Sleeve.

The information displayed on these sleeves was usually the band name, album title, band members and other related information, as well as the recording studio and/or recording studio. There may also be information to advertise the band, along side the album artwork.

As time went on audio tapes were used along-side Vinyl LP's and singles. The LP's demise came along around the 90's when CD's came along - which were smaller and more robust. Now, in 2008, compact disc albums still use imagery and designs to advertise the bands. Tapes are still being used, but only on a very limited scale – at least in the western world, because many old cars use tape cassette players.

 

A CD Cover has become a representation of the bands' music. Even though 80% of music is now bought online, the accompanying CD artwork is still being used - as is still likely to continue into the future.

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