So, you finally found that sweet little car you’ve always dreamed of.  Power, looks, right price, cherry red with perfect black leather interior, and, what!?  No sound system!  Forget it.

These days a vehicle’s sound system is just as important as all the practical aspects to most people.  We’re spending more and more time in our cars, making the need for a little companionship vital, even if it does originate from radio sound waves.

So, what’s the story behind car audio?  Who thought up the idea and when?  History shows the first car radio was invented by an American in 1929.  Back then if a person wanted a radio in his car they would have to purchase it separately.  It would be a long time before sound systems became standard equipment.

Enjoying music in vehicles was largely nothing more than a hobby, and an inconvenience.  There was no such thing as climbing in and turning a knob.  Unsightly wires had to be run, large antennas had to be installed, and room had to be made for horrible, bulky speakers, usually in the back window.

Some improvement came with the advent of the eight-track player installed ineffectively under the dash.  But at least now, drivers could listen to their music of choice.  History shows the 1980s to be the decade that car systems finally started looking and sounding good, with cassette players.  But real change came with the 90s.  CDs had finally arrived and car sound systems had changed for the better, forever.  At last listening to music in the vehicle rivaled the quality found previously only in the living room.

Now it is possible to get in the car, push a button and bebop along with unbelievable sound.  So, when purchasing that next car, especially if it is used, don’t forget to check out the sound system before signing those papers.  You don’t want to get stuck with those old fashioned wires, speakers and antennas.