CD player in 1970. Following litigation, Sony and Philips licensed Russell's patents (then held by a Canadian company, Optical Recording Corp.) in the 1980s. The Compact Disc is an evolution of LaserDisc technology, where a focused laser beam is used that enables the high information density required for high-quality digital audio signals. Prototypes were developed by Philips and Sony independently in the late 1970s. In 1979, Sony and Philips set up a joint task force of engineers to design a new digital audio disc. After a year of experimentation and discussion, the "Red Book" CD-DA standard was published in 1980. After their
Gerard Philips a decade. On 19 March 1896 Philips married Johanna van der Willigen (30 September 1862 – 1942). They had no children. Gerard's father was a first cousin of Karl Marx (his paternal aunt was Marx's mother). Gerard was an uncle of Frits Philips, whom he and his brother brought into the business. Later they brought in his brother's son-in-law, Frans Otten. Gerard and his brother Anton supported education and social programs in Eindhoven, including the Philips Sport Vereniging (Philips Sports Association), which they founded. From it the professional football (soccer) department developed into the independent Philips Sport Vereniging N.V. Gerard