SP records were played on record players called gramophone, which were developed since the end of the 19th century. The standard speed of rotation (in English: Standard Play, hence SP) was 78 revolutions per minute. The sound was significantly influenced by the quality of the gramophone and the sound needle used with it. Gramophones were initially driven by mechanical springs and therefore had to be wound regularly, like watches. It was not until the 1920s that gramophones were available with electric motors.