Long before podcasts became our main way to get information and have fun, there was another way to  listen to people talk about science, history, and culture – vinyl records. Although people tend to connect  records with music, there were verbal LPs during the middle of the 20th century that were  similar to today’s podcasts. These albums covered almost everything from clear and simple scientific explanations to historical  speeches, which were delivered by experts, broadcasters, and even Hollywood voices.

If you want to experience  how the world discovered and explored space, or how television and broadcasting were invented, these records are  fantastic. Let’s now look at some of the best educational vinyl records of the past.

The Original  ‘Podcasts’ – On Vinyl

Much like modern podcasts, educational vinyl records were meant to educate,  amuse and engage their audience. They often worked on the principle of a authoritative voice guiding you through  a topic, with guest experts contributing their thoughts and ideas, and sometimes even actual audio recordings of important  events.

The only issue? Instead of being able to stream it on demand, you had to actually  own the physical record and play it on your turntable. But just as there are people who listen  to podcasts while sitting down and listening to the shows, there were people who would sit down, turn  on their radio and learn.

Here are some of the most notable educational and spoken-word records that paved  the way:

1. The Age of Television (1971, RCA Victor)

This is a  classic! The Age of Television, which was narrated by TV legends Milton Berle, Hugh Downs,  and Arlene Francis, is about the evolution of television in the United States. This LP combines  humour, history and expert discussion to create an amusing take on a pop culture podcast. It provides a interesting  insight into the impact of TV on entertainment, news and society.

Podcast Vibes:

Imagine a  modern podcast episode where famous media personalities discuss the history of television – this record did it first.

 2. The Vistas of Science Series (1960s-70s, RCA Victor;  Scholastic Records)

This educational series covered various scientific topics so that intricate concepts could be explained to the layman. Some records in the series include:

• The Sounds of Space – This record has  actual satellite recordings and NASA commentary.

• The Story of Light and Sound – Here you can find the physics of  light waves and acoustics.

Podcast Vibes:

This was the Radiolab of  its time, explaining science in an interesting way. An easy-to-understand way, that is.

 3. The Great American Documents (1950s, Columbia Records)

This record was an  audiobook before there was even such a thing as an audiobook. It contained historical American documents like the  Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address, read by famous voices, such as Orson  Welles and Raymond Massey.

We found that you can buy it here on eBay.

 Podcast Vibes:

As with any history podcast, this record allowed listeners to hear these speeches and  documents delivered in their fullest form.

4. The Voice of the Satellites (1958,  Smithsonian Folkways)

This record captures the excitement of the early days of satellite launches from the dawn of  the space age. It contains recordings of Sputnik and other early spacecraft, and commentary on what  these breakthroughs meant for the future. One track has the beating heart of Laika, the first dog in space. You can listen to it and other sounds on this recordings here.

Podcast  Vibes:

This LP allowed people to experience space exploration through expert commentary and real audio just as  NASA’s Gravity Assist podcast does. 

5. The Story of Broadcasting (1959, RCA Victor)

This LP introduces  listeners to the early history of radio and television, from Marconi’s first transmissions, to the golden  age of radio shows, and highlights RCA’s role in this, as it was a major part of  the story of broadcasting.

Podcast Vibes:

If you enjoy podcasts about media  history – 99% Invisible or The Vergecast, for example – this record was doing it  decades before.

6. The Sounds of History (Time-Life Records,  1960s-70s)

This multi-volume collection plays historical narrations alongside real audio clips of major events like presidential  speeches, World War II broadcasts, and civil rights protests. It was a way for listeners to relive history with authentic sound.

It can be bought here.

Podcast Vibes:

This is  what an early version of Hardcore History or Throughline might have sounded like, with a combination of storytelling  and original audio to create a powerful effect.

7. The Science of Sound (1970,  National Geographic Society)

This record is an in-depth look at acoustics, how sound waves are  produced, how the human body interprets sound, and how frequencies interact with the environment around us.

Podcast Vibes:

If Twenty Thousand Hertz (a podcast about sound design) had  existed in 1970, this is what it would’ve sounded like.  

Why Do These Records  Still Matter?  

 Although these records were created decades ago, they are still significant for collectors, historians  and anyone who enjoys listening to historical audio.  They capture a time when people turned to the media  for information, giving an interesting insight into how people used to view science, media and history.  For vinyl lovers they also show that it wasn’t all about music some of them were about expanding the  mind.

 Bringing Vintage Audio Into the Digital Age  

If you enjoy the idea of these old style  educational records but you want to be able to play them on your modern speakers then A2D2  Stream is the ideal answer.  Where as traditional converters work by digitising audio,  A2D2 allows you to use digital sound systems whilst playing analog records, keeping that warm, nostalgic feeling of  vintage vinyl, without the inconvenience of modernity.  Whether it’s a 50s science lesson  or a relive of the golden age of television, A2D2 brings history into the present  and keeps it spinning in the 21st century.  

Final Thoughts  

The next time you fire  up your favourite podcast, stop and think how people once consumed long form audio.  These vintage educational  LPs were the original podcasts, save for the fact they required a turntable instead of a streaming  app.  If your into vinyl or history then seeking out these records is a great way of experiencing  knowledge the way it was conveyed before the digital age.  

Would you listen to a spoken word vinyl  like this? Let us know in the comments!

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