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1918
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9th of October: the Electrical Phono Film Company is founded by Axel Petersen (1887-1971) and Arnold Poulsen (1889-1952) with the objective of developing one of the world’s first synchronized sound film system.
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1923
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12th of October: the first sound film recorded indoors is shown at the Palace Theatre, Copenhagen.
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1924
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In March the world’s first sound film recorded outdoors is made.
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1938-44
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During this period microphones, dynamic compressors, oscillographs, optical instruments and similar equipment & accessories are developed.
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1946
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The first mono cutterhead for the gramophone industry is developed. The cutterhead is revolutionary because the level of registration of the oscillations is raised from 5 kHz to 14 kHz.
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The company name is changed to "Fonofilm Industri A/S".
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1948
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The world’s first Moving Coil cartridge is engineered with characteristics that match the quality level of the cutterhead.
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1951
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Ortofon A/S is established as a trading company under Fonofilm Industri A/S. The name Ortofon derives from the Greek words “orto” (meaning "correct") and “fon” (meaning "sound").
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1953
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A212 arm manufactured
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1957
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In the transition from mono to stereo, Ortofon develops stereo cutterheads.
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1957-59
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During these years Ortofon develops its legendary SPU stereo cartridge.
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1959
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The SPU (Stereo Pick Up) is launched. The target audience is primarily professionals, e.g. the Danish State Broadcasting Company, the Swedish State Broadcasting Company and Deutsche Grammophon. SPU launched in A-shell and GM-shell.
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1960
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Stereo Amplifier type 601 (2 x 15 watt) is a new popular product on the market
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1969
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The first magnetic cartridge, the M-15, constructed on the VMS (variable magnetic shunt) generating system is launched.
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1970
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The production facility moves to a new factory in Nakskov, Denmark.
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1976
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The introduction of the MCA 76 pre-amplifier in order to match the Moving Coil cartridges and amplifiers.
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1979
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Ortofon receives the Danish Industrial Design Award for its Low Mass Concorde integrated cartridge/headshell configuration.
Concorde 30, Concorde 20, MC 20 MkII, LM 30(H), LM 20(H), SME 30H manufactured.
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1980
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The Instrument Department is established with the objective of developing and producing advanced measuring equipment for the audio industry.
VMS 10E MkII, VMS 30 MkII and Concorde STD launched.
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1981
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Ortofon introduces the world's first low mass magnetic cartridges LM10 and LM15 with a very high compliance and the net weight reduced to only 2.5 grams.
SPU Gold GM, SPU Gold in A-shell, T-30 transformer, TM 30H, MC 200 and SMG 212 MkII arm introduced.
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1982
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MC 2000 and the belonging T2000 transformer, MC 100, TMC 200, TM 20H introduced.
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1983
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Ortofon Inc., a subsidiary company, is established in Plainview, New York.
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Ortofon Instruments launches the P400 measuring instrument for the production floor test of audio transducers.
MC 10 Super, MC 200 Universal, MC 100 Universal introduced
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1984
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The silver colored Concorde Pro and OM Pro, which combine the sound quality with the ruggedness for the professionals (DJs) is introduced to expand into a new area of business.
OMP series including OMP 30 and MCP 100 Super launced.
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1985
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MC 20 Super introduced
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1986
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Scan Micro, Ortofon’s BtB facility, is established as a separate division. Scan Micro starts the production of diamond styli.
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MC 30 Super, X3 MC and X1 MC launched.
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1987
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SPU Classic GM E, SPU Classic AE, T3000 transformer for use with MC 3000 cartridge introduced
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1988
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The MC 70 Anniversary Moving Coil cartridge is introduced in October to celebrate Ortofon's 70 years anniversary.
Ortofon PPA 600 professional Two-Channel Power Amplifier launched among other products, like: MC30 Super II, MC20 Super II, MC 10 Super II, HMC 20 and HMC 10 cartridges.
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1989
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A wide range of new products introduced: SPU Reference, SPU Mono, HMC 30, T20 MkII, RMG 309 arm Limited edition, RMG 212 arm Limited edition, MC 2000 MkII, MC 3000 MkII
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The Night Club Series for Discos featuring easier cueing, improved styli, better sound and a higher stability is introduced.
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1990
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Ortofon introduces the world’s first 99,99999 % (7N) Superpure Copper Cables for Audio- and Speaker Application for Audio- and Speaker Application.
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1992
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The SPU Meister is introduced to celebrate Mr. Robert Gudmandsen’s 50th anniversary working at Ortofon.
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1993
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Ortofon celebrates its 75th anniversary by introducing the top model Moving Coil cartridge MC 7500.
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1995
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In honor of Erik Rohmann, Ortofon's long-time Managing Director, Ortofon launches the Rohmann Moving Coil cartridge.
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Based on many years' experience with producing Disco cartridges and a close contact with DJ's, Concorde DJ and OM DJ with extremely high robustness are introduced.
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1996
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The masterpiece of Mr.Robert Gudmandsen, the SPU Meister Silver with coil wires of 6-N pure silver is introduced.
The Mono CG-Di and CA-Di cartridges engineered and introduced back in 1948 are revived employing exactly the same technology.
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1997
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Ortofon introduces the world's first 99,9999 % (6N) Super High Purity Silver cables for Audio- and Speaker application.
Ortofon is awarded as one of the fastest growing companies in Denmark.
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1998
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To celebrate Ortofon's 80th anniversary the completely newly designed MC Jubilee is introduced together with SPU Royal.
For the first time Ortofon is the Exclusive Sponsor of Cartridge and Styli for the DMC/Technics World DJ Championships held in Paris.
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1999
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The Scratch cartridges for DJs who exact perfection are successfully introduced. Ortofon obtains a leading position within the manufacturing of the DJ Scratch cartridges and continues to be the exclusive cartridge and styli sponsor of the Technics/DMC DJ World Championship held in New York.
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2000
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On the day of Johann Sebastian Bach's 250th anniversary Ortofon launches the Kontrapunkt b and Kontrapunkt a MC phono cartridges.
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2003
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To celebrate Ortofon's 85th anniversary the SPU 85 is introduced with the LH 8000 head shell handmade from the Japanese Hida beechwood with the surface processed by the 6000 years old Lapanese Urushi lacquer method. The SPU 85 cartridge is only produced in a limited number of 500 pcs.
The Johan Sebastian Bach's Kontrapunkt Series of cartridges is completed when Ortofon launches the Kontrapunk c and Kontrapunkt h.
Ortofon enter into a sponsorship contract with Q.Bert /Thud Rumble in order to promote and renew the line of DJ cartridges and needles.
Based on requests from international DJs Ortofon introduces two new cartridges for the Disco scene - the Concorde Electro for the Techno and the GT for tough handling.
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2004
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The MC Rondo series is launched. The MC Tango, MC Samba and MC Salsa have been a direct result of Ortofon endeavours.
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2005
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Ortofon Concorde Q.Bert cartridge, co-developed by one of the most legendary DJs of all time, is introduced.
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2006
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The production is further extended to Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) products, B2B division.
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2007
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The 2M Series phono cartridges, the name being short for 2 x moving magnet are introduced. The 2M Series consisting of 2M Red, 2M Blue, 2M Bronze and 2M Black, has been engineered by the highest standards and is a perfect example of the uncompromising commitment of Ortofon to provide the most precise and accurate reproduction possible without coloration.
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2008
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Ortofon celebrates it's 90th anniversary.
The same year MC Windfeld is launched, using the newly developed state-of-the-art technology. This highly advanced design is seen as a tribute to Ortofon’s departing engineer Per Windfeld, who has been a feature of the high-end culture as head of the companies R&D for more than 30 years .
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2009
2010
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Cadenza, SPU 90th Anniversary and MC A90 are lanched. Ortofon paves the way for the use of Rapid Manufacturing technology and the SLM Manufacturing technique.
The same year Ortofon wins the HBH marketing award for its DJ marketing. It is the most prestigious marketing award in Denmark, previously awarded to companies with innovative marketing strategies.
The introduction of the Ortofon DJ Headphones.
Launch of the revolutionary DJ cartridge Ortofon-Serato S-120. S-120 represents a completely new way of constructing and designing cartridges. Its breakthrough patent pending technology has been designed to provide maximum freedom for DJ performances.
The establishment of a separate B2B division OrtofonMicrotech selling components to the hearing aid industry.
Introduction of the new Ortofon TA-110 tonearm with a special vibration damping rubber insert. TA-110 has gone to the next level by reducing unwanted vibrations in the tonearm.
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2011
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Ortofon continues to expand successful step-up transformer range with introduction of the new stunningly looking ST-80 SE Moving Coil transformer.
Launch of the Ortofon Xpression High-End cartridge, a modern high performance cartridge with a standard headshell connector. Ortofon Xpression bridges the gap between SPU-type cartridges and High-End cartridges like the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld designed for headshell mounting.
The new TA-210 12" tonearm introduced. Our extensive knowledge of vibration properties and characteristics in different shapes and materials has been applied for optimization of TA-210 tonearm.
The new exceptionally high quality headshell LH-10000 made by using a high performance aluminum alloy with zinc as the primary alloying element. LH-10000 incorporates damping technology similar to the Ortofon TA-110 / TA-210 tonearms and Ortofon Xpression cartridge, promoting a further reduction in unwanted resonances.
The new Ortofon’s MC Anna launched. MC Anna represents the highest echelon of Moving Coil cartridges. This state of the art product, representative of numerous Ortofon design elements and ideals, is truly exemplary of the highest degree of performance possible in contemporary analogue playback technology
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2012
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Ortofon introduced an addition to the range of acclaimed 2M Series cartridges. The new 2M Verso Series are alternative producs for the customers who own bottom mont tonearms. The new true MONO models 2M 78/2M 78 Verso and 2M Mono/2M Mono Verso are for playback of respectively 78 rpm and Mono microgroove vinyl records.
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Ortofon extends the range of proven and recognized Tonearm, Interconnect, Speaker and Special cables.
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2013
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The new accessory to the Ortofon range of acclaimed 2M Series cartridges introduced. The new 2M headshell is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their tonearm. The combination of 2M Headshell and 2M Series cartridge adds unique distinction to the turntable.
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