That goes back to days of the stacked record playing. When console stereos had turntables they had a long spindle with a arm to balance the records that were stacked above the platter. The tone arm would be prompted thru a mechanical connection that would allow a little trigger holding the records stacked above the spinning platter. The trigger would release one LP and it dropped to the spinning platter and the tone are would move over and lower onto the lead in groove. At the end of the side the tonearm moved back to the rest and another LP dropped onto the spinning 1st LP.
So the numbering was a convenient way to play the records in order of sides 1&2 then you'd flip over both LP's and play sides 3&4.
Just as additional reminiscing, that is why the outer edge and label are molded higher than the playing area, to keep them scratching each other while dropping and gathering traction to get up to speed.
So it's pretty obvious VTA, accurate speed, rumble, etc. weren't a major concern. Sadly I confess this was what we had when I was a child. I had no knowledge of the need for the precision required to extract music from vinyl in its best form.
Sorry to be over winded on the subject, I just got locked up in the memories. Crap! I getting old😳
So the numbering was a convenient way to play the records in order of sides 1&2 then you'd flip over both LP's and play sides 3&4.
Just as additional reminiscing, that is why the outer edge and label are molded higher than the playing area, to keep them scratching each other while dropping and gathering traction to get up to speed.
So it's pretty obvious VTA, accurate speed, rumble, etc. weren't a major concern. Sadly I confess this was what we had when I was a child. I had no knowledge of the need for the precision required to extract music from vinyl in its best form.
Sorry to be over winded on the subject, I just got locked up in the memories. Crap! I getting old😳