Early record players were dominant from the 1920's through and including the late 1940's, during which the predominant format was the 78-rpm record. These players at first were very primitive and required no electricity. They were wound up by a hand crank, and a steel needle was used to pick up the sound from the 78-rpm record. In order to amplify this sound, a steel horn or cone was attached to the tone arm. An example of this type of player is the early wind-up Victrola manufactured by RCA. One main drawback to these record players was that they had a very tinny sound, and it was virtually impossible to control the volume. Also, they wore out records rather quickly.

During this time period, record players were thought of more as a piece of furniture rather than an electronic component. They may have had an ornate cabinet made from "real" wood and during the 1930's and 1940's they may have incorporated an electric motor and some simple circuitry. It still wasn't uncommon for them to use steel needles, although some progression was made by incorporating a crystal pickup device. These players were either stand alone or they may have been an added feature, requiring a separate radio to be used for amplification purposes. If you were really lucky, you may have owned an automatic drop 78-rpm record changer, where it was possible to stack several records on the spindle and have then play in succession. Click here for the source.