The Merle Travis "Folk Songs of the Hills" was recorded in 1946 and released in 1947.

It was indeed an "album", consisting of 8 songs on 4 distinct 78 rpm records. Done by Capitol.

The following year, Columbia revolutionized audio by releasing the "microgroove" vinyl record which soon became known as an album.

Decca followed in 1949.

Most of the early LPs were 10" records, the size of the older 78s.

Burl Ives was in at the very beginning and recorded for both Decca and Columbia, causing some confusion among collectors.