From Drums to Digital: The History of MUSAK

                                             From Drums to Digital: The History of MUZAK

Today, people hear music almost everywhere whether its intricate beats in a DJ set or in stores, elevators, restaurants, airports, and offices. The concept of this music can be traced back to MUZAK, a company that pitched the idea of delivering background music to businesses and public spaces. But MUZAK is not just soft sounds, it's more complex than you think. Its success was made possible by decades of technological innovations that changed how music was recorded, distributed, and consumed. Understanding the history of MUZAK requires examining the major technological developments that transformed music from live performances into a constant background noise common in everyday life.

1877: The Phonograph Creates Recorded Sound

The invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison in 1877 was the first major step toward MUZAK. Before the phonograph, music could only be experienced through live performance. Edison's machine recorded and reproduced sound, allowing music to exist without live performers. This invention opened the doors for music to be stored, replayed, and distributed to large audiences.

1887: The Gramophone Makes Music Accessible

Emile Berliner's gramophone advanced Edison's invention by using flat discs instead of cylinders. These records were easier and cheaper to mass produce, allowing recorded music to reach homes across the world. The gramophone established the commercial music industry and proved that music could become a widely distributed product.

1925: Better Microphones Improve Sound Quality

The development of electric microphones dramatically improved recording quality. Artists could perform with greater expression, and recordings sounded clearer and more natural. Better sound quality increased public interest in recorded music and helped turn it into a major form of entertainment.

1930's: The Birth of MUZAK

In 1934, entrepreneur George Owen Squier founded the company that would eventually become MUZAK. Squier developed a system that transmitted music over electrical wires, similar to how radio signals were distributed. Businesses quickly saw value in playing music for employees and customers, believing it could improve workplace productivity and create more pleasant environments.

1931: Magnetic Tape Recording

Magnetic tape recording changed the music industry by allowing recordings to be edited and duplicated more efficiently. This technology made it easier for companies like MUZAK to create specialized playlists and continuously update their music collections. High-quality recordings could now be distributed to thousands of locations, making music not only more accessible but also more intricate through duplicated sounds, reverbs, and beats.

1948: The Vinyl LP Expands Music Libraries

The introduction of the long-playing vinyl record allowed more music to fit on a single disc. Businesses and broadcasters gained access to larger selections of music, making it easier to provide continuous playlists. This innovation supported MUZAK's efforts to deliver uninterrupted background music throughout the day in all environments.

1950s-1970s: Stimulus Progression

One of MUZAK's most famous innovations was "Stimulus Progression." The company believed that carefully selected music with gradually increasing tempo and energy could improve worker productivity. In this process, they began to get more selective and choosy with music, not just accepting all kinds. Many offices and factories adopted these programmed music systems during the mid-twentieth century.

1980s: Digital Music and MIDI

The introduction of digital music technology and MIDI (Music Instrumental Digital Interface) transformed how music could be produced and managed. Music became easier to edit, store, and distribute electronically. These advances allowed companies to create customized playlists and improve the efficiency of music delivery systems.

2000s: Streaming Changes Everything

The rise of streaming services dramatically changed the role of MUZAK. Businesses no longer needed dedicated wired music systems because internet-based services could instantly provide music on demand. As a result, MUZAK shifted its focus toward customized audio branding and business music solutions.

Today: From MUZAK to Audio Branding

Modern MUZAK is less about generic elevator music and more about creating branded audio experiences. Businesses carefully choose music that reflects their identity and enhances customer experiences. For example, Starbucks uses calm acoustic and indie music to create a relaxing atmosphere, while Spencer’s often plays punk rock and alternative background music to reflect its edgy brand image. The company's original goal remains the same, which is using music to influence mood and behavior, but the technology.

                                                                            Conclusion 

MUZAK represents the combination of music, technology, and business. While many people associate MUZAK with elevator music, its influence extends far beyond that stereotype. The company helped pioneer the idea that music can be strategically used to create a specific atmosphere, shape emotions, and strengthen a brand's overall image. Rather than simply filling silence, background music can influence how customers perceive a business and how they feel within a space. As a Digital Communication and Social Media major, I find MUZAK especially interesting because it demonstrates how brands use more than just visual elements to communicate with the public. Music serves as a powerful form of nonverbal communication that helps organizations express their identity and connect with audiences on an emotional level. The evolution of MUZAK shows that music is not only a source of entertainment but also an important branding and communication tool that influences how people experience businesses and public spaces.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was checked and edited through Microsoft Copilot to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It was also used as a research tool for developing the timeline of the history of MUZAK. Notes from other sites were pasted into Microsoft Copilot to help craft a cohesive paragraph defining the stage of MUZAK. 

Is Freedom of Speech Really Free?

   Progressive Era corruption is shown through “Class Privilege,” “Trust,” “Monopoly,” “Bribery,” and “Rule or Ruin.”

                                                                                  Anti War Reflection 

    Through learning about the history of the Progressive Era, a period when Americans fought for social and political reforms, I feel like we have come so close, yet are still so far away. When the United States entered WWI, people who spoke against the war could be punished under laws such as the Espionage and Sedition Acts. More than 2,000 people were charged under these laws, showing how strongly the government restricted dissent.

    WWI became an important period for defining how much protection the First Amendment actually gives people when their speech challenges the government. For example, in Schenck v. United States, the decision showed that “free” speech was not totally “free.” Charles Schenck opposed the military draft and handed out flyers encouraging people not to participate. He was arrested under the Espionage Act because the government believed his actions could interfere with the war effort. The Supreme Court ruled against Schenck and said that the First Amendment does not protect speech when it creates a serious and immediate danger. This case is important because it showed that free speech can have limits, especially during wartime.

  Similarly, to the end of WWI, I still feel that tension exists in 2026 over individual rights and freedom of speech. For example, websites such as Antiwar.com and The American Conservative provide detailed accounts of wars happening not only in the U.S., but around the entire world. Each article includes links that take readers directly to sources with additional details about the events, as well as video explanations.

    This further poses the question: Why have we never seen this in mainstream news? After thinking deeply about this, I have concluded that maybe these stories are not shown as often because journalists focus on the details of the physical war rather than the opinions of protesters and people who oppose it. I also considered a recent concept I learned in my media writing class: gatekeeping.

    Gatekeeping is when journalists and editors decide which stories and voices receive attention, essentially giving them the power to decide what information is shared with the public. In the past, antiwar voices have also faced criticism, which can make people less willing to speak publicly. Although these reasons are valid, I do think some events should be published by mainstream news sources.

    Seven-year-old Abdulrahman Azzam is traumatized after surviving a building collapse in Gaza that killed his pregnant mother and three-year-old brother, leaving him and his sister as the only survivors. This was a recent story published on Antiwar.com that absolutely broke my heart. I think if this story were published by more mainstream news sources, it would not only shed more light on the circumstances in Gaza, but also make Americans more grateful for their own living situations.

    In summary, I feel helpless thinking about the number of stories that may not receive the attention they deserve, but I am hopeful that some news sources continue to cover these important topics.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was strictly checked and edited through Microsoft Copilot to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

I always feel like somebody's watching me. . .

Privacy can feel impossible when technology and surveillance follow you even inside your own home.

Privacy, Online, and Off Reflection 

A Flock camera, mounted near a traffic light, capturing license plate info.

After learning the insights from experts on tools such as Flock cameras, cookies, cell towers, and WiFi networks, I am truly disturbed and see them not as tools, but as threats. I was always aware that security cameras existed, particularly on roads, and was unaware that they track way more than that. Flock cameras have the ability to figure out exactly where you are going, no matter if it’s to a private therapy session or a sacred church ceremony, and they have help doing this through the automatic license plate reader available on utility poles, traffic lights, police 

cars, and overpasses.

An automatic license plate reader mounted on a police car. 

The automatic license plate reader is a high-speed, computer-controlled camera system that captures images of vehicle license plates and converts them into text using optical character recognition. Its high-tech nature makes it possible to always track you, who you’re with, when you get there, and where you are going. In the past, ALPRs have passed mosques just to know who is participating, further gathering personal information on innocent civilians. 

You are also able to be tracked and monitored through cell towers, which connect to your phone, all the way from inside your house, picking up all the possible data they can. Cell towers can track your phone inside your house because your phone still communicates with nearby towers through cellular signals, even through walls.

I am passionate about these security threats because they not only affect me, but any teenage girl whose safety and security are at risk constantly, whether it’s being trafficked, followed, stalked, or having personal information exposed online. These cameras and various trackers make it easier to locate us and will, in turn, make us more vulnerable than we already are. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. The government should put a stop to this issue. It is already scary enough being a girl in 2026; however, with our personal information at nearly everybody’s fingertips, serious threats are posed.

When thinking about how we can protect ourselves, I come to a loss. It feels like there is no way out of being tracked; however, there are some tactics we can use to better our “digital hygiene” that will make us a harder target for potential hackers to track. Using strong passcodes, turning on software update notifications, reading through terms and conditions thoroughly, and clearing out WiFi networks, tabs, cookies, and your search history weekly will significantly help your privacy status.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was strictly checked and edited through Microsoft Copilot to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

Why It's OK to Be Negative

      

                          
                                                    The Eight Values of Free Expression

    After reflecting on the Eight Values of Free Expression, the one that stood out most to me was Stable Change because of its unique outlook on expressing your feelings. Throughout our whole lives, we have all been told to always “be positive”; however, what if sometimes you just can't? What if sometimes you just need to let something out and then go about your day? The Stable Change value supports that, saying that citizens are allowed to speak their mind, or "vent," and that this will actually be a healthier alternative, as people will be less likely to resort to violence. For example, let's say people are angry about a new government policy. Instead of banning criticism, the government allows people to protest and post complaints online. People get to “vent” to release their frustration, and, in addition, the government can see what the public is upset about.

    This tactic not only allows people to get their frustration out without committing actual violence, but it also lets the government know which groups should be monitored, just in case potential violence arises. A great example of this is the March for Our Lives in 2018. After the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, students organized March for Our Lives protests across the country to fight for stronger gun-safety laws. The protests brought attention to the issue, encouraged gun-safety discussion, and pushed lawmakers to consider making changes to gun laws. Instead of anybody getting retaliation against the school shooters and spreading the harm to them, people were instead able to peacefully express their anger and frustration. By doing this, the government could hear those concerns and respond through the political system instead of people feeling like they had no way to make their voices heard.

    A negative example of the Stable Change expression was during the 1960s, when the FBI monitored the Black Panther Party and other groups. In some cases, agents used spies and surveillance footage to gather information about what groups were protesting and whether violence might occur. The FBI's COINTELPRO program eventually went beyond just watching for violence and included attempts to ban some groups from peacefully protesting, even when there was little evidence of illegal activity. The FBI itself acknowledges that they were violating First Amendment rights.

  

 Even though things such as protesting and writing a comment online are completely legal and a part of our rights as American citizens, sometimes there are better ways to release rage. Ways that are more calm, personal, and useful that we can implement into our daily lives. According to Mental Health America, 10 healthy ways to reduce rage include...

1. 
   Visiting a rage room (and breaking something safely)

2. Scream (in private)

3. Sing it out

4. Dance it out

5. Do a tough workout

6. Journal

7. Draw or paint

8. Change your surroundings

9. Destroy a physical representation of your anger (e.g., ripping up a piece of paper)

10. Verbalizing your anger in private

    For me personally, the ones that I resonate with are journaling, working out, painting, dancing, and changing my surroundings because they allow me to get out of my head, forget everything else around me, and dial me into the activity or task I am doing. In summary, after researching more about the Stable Change expression, I see how much being “negative” can impact our society in a positive way.

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AI DISCLOSURE: The post was strictly checked and edited through Microsoft Copilot to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

From Scrolling to Stories

    The first platform I would recommend for accessing the news is the popular short-form video app, TikTok. Although it is not always the most reliable source, I would recommend it because it makes staying informed quick, easy, and engaging. TikTok is especially useful for keeping up with pop culture, as creators often share updates about the latest drama, scandals, and trends involving online celebrities and influencers. I also like that TikTok allows you to listen to someone explain a story instead of having to read multiple long articles to understand what happened. For someone who wants to stay updated without spending a lot of time searching for news, TikTok is an easy and entertaining platform to use.

        

    The second platform I recommend would be Apple News. Similarly to TikTok, it provides fast and valuable informative, causing you to constantly be in the loop, just through a notification on your phone. I especially love having Apple News because even when I'm just looking at my phone, I can swipe right to the search bar and in just a glance, I know exactly what the latest headlines are. I would also recommend Apple News because it makes it easy to find a variety of news stories all in one place, instead of having to visit several different websites or apps. In addition, I also like that it covers a wide range of topics, including current events, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. For someone who wants a convenient way to stay informed about from something as big as what is happening in the world, to the latest sports game, Apple news is a great option. 

      

If you are looking to stay up to date with information pertaining to your school or community, Yik Yak is the place for you. I would recommend Yik Yak because it provides information straight from students to your phone, making it an easy way to stay connected to what is happening around you. From getting a recommendation for a professor to knowing what the nightly plans are, Yik Yak provides information that is directly relevant to students. Since people can post anonymously, users often share funny stories, opinions, events, and updates that I might not see on traditional news platforms. The anonymous part of the platform causes the information to vary in terms of how trustworthy it is. However, Yik Yak is still a useful platform for quickly finding out what is happening around your school and community

My favorite news platform, which I have been watching since I was a kid, is The Today Show. Not only does this news source deliver helpful, informative, and reliable information, but it does so in such a positive way. Implementing fun activities, bringing in speakers, and hosting concerts are examples of what The Today Show does daily to engage viewers and keep them tuning in every morning. I especially like that The Today Show covers both serious news and lighter stories, making it more interesting and enjoyable to watch. For someone who wants to stay updated on what is happening in the world while also keeping up with entertainment and pop culture, The Today Show is a great source.

A news platform I recently discovered in my Media Writing class is Snopes. I would recommend Snopes because it is a helpful source for checking whether information online is true or false. Snopes was recommended to us as one of the only completely unbiased news platforms that provides the details and evidence behind its claims instead of simply telling readers what to believe. It covers a variety of topics, including viral stories, rumors, and claims circulating on social media. Snopes allows readers to see the facts and make their own conclusions. 

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AI DISCLOSURE: The post was strictly checked and edited through Microsoft Copilot to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

Beyond Just Nine Justices