The compact disc gave us our first taste of digital music. Upon its arrival in the U.S. in March 1983, the sleek 4.7-inch plastic and aluminum disc – about the size of a drink coaster – promised crisp, clean digital music reproduction without the pops heard on vinyl LPs or the hiss from tapes. CDs let us listen to more than an hour's worth of music just by pushing play. Over the years, U.S. music lovers have purchased 14.9 billion CDs since the format's arrival, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Swipe and click the link in our bio for more on the history – and impact – of CDs.