Cardboard record
Encyclopedia
Cardboard records were a type of cheaply-made phonograph record made of plastic
-coated thin paperboard
. These discs were usually small, had poor audio quality compared to vinyl
or acetate
discs, and were often only marginally playable due to their light weight, slick surface, and tendency to warp like a taco
shell. Playability could be improved by placing a coin between the lock groove and the spindle hole to add weight and stability. These records are distinct from both flexi disc
s, which are sturdier, and from many of the old home-recording discs since cardboard discs were mass-produced for a specific purpose.
Cardboard records were often used as freebies
in promotional campaigns
, and as such were assumed to be played once or twice and then thrown away. Two examples, both from the late 1980s, were Life Cereal's
"Rock Music Mystery" and McDonalds' "Menu Song" contest, both of which were designed around audio "clues". Because of their disposable, limited-run nature, as well as their association with long-gone advertising campaigns, cardboard records can be quite collectible.
Cardboard records are also associated with pornographic recordings included with magazines of similar subject matter.
Certain songs credited to the fictional 1960s-1970s band The Archies
were released as cardboard records printed directly on boxes of breakfast cereal
. Other groups, such as the Monkees and the Jackson 5 also had records released on the backs of cereal boxes during this time. These records, if found in pristine condition, have significant value among collectors as well.
In the past, Mad
Magazine inserted cardboard records of songs from its series of merchandised novelty albums in certain of their Mad Super Special reprint magazines. One of these, for example - the mid-60s release "It's a Gas!" - featured a rhythmic belching sound (allegedly provided by the magazine's fictional mascot, Alfred E. Neuman
) with a honking saxophone break played by an uncredited King Curtis
.
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
-coated thin paperboard
Paperboard
Paperboard is a thick paper based material. While there is no rigid differentiation between paper and paperboard, paperboard is generally thicker than paper. According to ISO standards, paperboard is a paper with a basis weight above 224 g/m2, but there are exceptions. Paperboard can be single...
. These discs were usually small, had poor audio quality compared to vinyl
Vinyl
A vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group ,which are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group...
or acetate
Acetate
An acetate is a derivative of acetic acid. This term includes salts and esters, as well as the anion found in solution. Most of the approximately 5 billion kilograms of acetic acid produced annually in industry are used in the production of acetates, which usually take the form of polymers. In...
discs, and were often only marginally playable due to their light weight, slick surface, and tendency to warp like a taco
Taco
A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety...
shell. Playability could be improved by placing a coin between the lock groove and the spindle hole to add weight and stability. These records are distinct from both flexi disc
Flexi disc
The flexi disc is a phonograph record made of a thin, flexible vinyl sheet with a molded-in spiral stylus groove, and is designed to be playable on a normal phonograph turntable...
s, which are sturdier, and from many of the old home-recording discs since cardboard discs were mass-produced for a specific purpose.
Cardboard records were often used as freebies
Gratis
Gratis is the process of providing goods or services without compensation. It is often referred to in English as "free of charge" or "complimentary"...
in promotional campaigns
Promotion (marketing)
Promotion is one of the four elements of marketing mix . It is the communication link between sellers and buyers for the purpose of influencing, informing, or persuading a potential buyer's purchasing decision....
, and as such were assumed to be played once or twice and then thrown away. Two examples, both from the late 1980s, were Life Cereal's
Life (cereal)
Life is a breakfast cereal made of whole grain oats, distributed by the Quaker Oats Company. It was introduced in 1961. The cereal's advertisements currently sport the slogan "Life is full of surprises".- History :...
"Rock Music Mystery" and McDonalds' "Menu Song" contest, both of which were designed around audio "clues". Because of their disposable, limited-run nature, as well as their association with long-gone advertising campaigns, cardboard records can be quite collectible.
Cardboard records are also associated with pornographic recordings included with magazines of similar subject matter.
Certain songs credited to the fictional 1960s-1970s band The Archies
The Archies
The Archies are a garage band founded by Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, and Jughead Jones, a group of adolescent fictional characters of the Archie universe, in the context of the animated TV series, The Archie Show...
were released as cardboard records printed directly on boxes of breakfast cereal
Breakfast cereal
A breakfast cereal is a food made from processed grains that is often, but not always, eaten with the first meal of the day. It is often eaten cold, usually mixed with milk , water, or yogurt, and sometimes fruit but sometimes eaten dry. Some cereals, such as oatmeal, may be served hot as porridge...
. Other groups, such as the Monkees and the Jackson 5 also had records released on the backs of cereal boxes during this time. These records, if found in pristine condition, have significant value among collectors as well.
In the past, Mad
Mad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
Magazine inserted cardboard records of songs from its series of merchandised novelty albums in certain of their Mad Super Special reprint magazines. One of these, for example - the mid-60s release "It's a Gas!" - featured a rhythmic belching sound (allegedly provided by the magazine's fictional mascot, Alfred E. Neuman
Alfred E. Neuman
Alfred E. Neuman is the fictional mascot and cover boy of Mad magazine. The face had drifted through American pictography for decades before being claimed and named by Mad editor Harvey Kurtzman...
) with a honking saxophone break played by an uncredited King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
.