The history of audiobooks is a testament to accessibility and enduring storytelling. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) in England pioneered research into audiobooks as early as 1920, driven by the needs of visually impaired World War I veterans. By 1926, they were using LPs to record books, playable on early record players.
The “Talking Book Service” launched in 1936 with Agatha Christie’s ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ and Joseph Conrad’s ‘Typhoon.’ These early audiobooks, limited to 25 minutes of audio per record, required around ten records per book.
During World War II, the RNIB’s studio faced repeated bombings. Despite these setbacks, they persevered. Assistance arrived from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), who shipped vital parts to England. Although the first shipment was lost in a bombing raid, a subsequent shipment arrived safely, enabling the RNIB to resume production.
The format evolved over time, transitioning to cassettes in the 1960s and later to CDs with the advent of the compact disc player.
Today, audiobooks are experiencing unprecedented popularity due to the ease of downloading them from the internet. Numerous audiobook publishers offer this service, indicating a thriving market. Audiobooks, now over 70 years old, continue to captivate audiences, proving their timeless appeal.