What are vinyl records?

Prior to the internet and music streaming, vinyl records were the primary way that people listened to recorded music. Vinyl records, or as generation Z calls them "vinyls", are physical discs that are made out of resin or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), have a grooved surface, come in various sizes (12", 10", or 7" diameter), and are played at different speeds (33 1/2, 45, or 78 revolutions per minute (RPM)). You play vinyl records on a turntable connected to a stereo. In the 1980s and 1990s, compact discs (CDs) were introduced and surpassed vinyl record sales. Since 2020, vinyl records have been experiencing a resurgence with vinyl records sales outselling CDs in recent years.