The U.S. patent for MP3 audio was granted on this day in 1996 — laid the foundations for peer-to-peer music sharing, iTunes, and today's streaming services

In 1996, the U.S. patent for the MP3 audio format was granted, marking the beginning of the digital music revolution. The MP3 format, developed by a team of scientists, significantly reduced audio file sizes and paved the way for peer-to-peer music sharing, iTunes, and today's streaming services. Despite facing challenges like piracy, the MP3 format gained popularity and influenced the music industry's transition to digital platforms. With the rise of streaming services and advanced codecs like AAC and FLAC, the MP3 format has become a symbol of a bygone era in media history.