DESCRIPTION:
In ‬1934,‭ Major General George Owen Squier developed a system of music presentation called “‬Stimulus Progression” ‬for his company,‭ ‬MUZAK.‭ ‬Stimulus Progression was developed as a “‬sound method of humanizing man-made environments” ‬through “‬a practical,‭ ‬inexpensive system for the advancement of areas where people work,‭ ‬shop,‭ ‬and recreate.‭” ‬Programmed into ‬15-minute blocks that progressively gain faster tempo and louder,‭ ‬brassier instrumentation (‬among other sound designs)‬,‭ ‬Stimulus progression music was designed to provide a sense of “‬forward movement” ‬and “‬mitigate tension,‭ ‬boredom,‭ ‬melancholy,‭ ‬and fatigue.‭” ‬It is also suggested that between each ‬15-minute block of sound there should be ‬15‭ ‬minutes of silence to maximize the effectiveness of stimulus progression by preventing fatigue.‭ ‬Stimulus progression music (‬also more commonly known by it’s company’s name as muzak) ‬maintained a fairly high rate of popularity in the ‬1950‭’‬s and ‬1960‭’‬s including being introduced to the White House by President Dwight D.‭ ‬Eisenhower and similarly enjoyed/utilized by President Lyndon B.‭ ‬Johnson.‭ ‬Muzak was also reportedly used by NASA on space missions to soothe astronauts and help them focus.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬muzak is most popularly known for it’s wide use in telephone hold lines,‭ ‬shopping centers,‭ ‬and of course elevators.

‭Muzak was typically played on proprietary machines, however demonstration vinyls were made for sales purposes. This music is from one of those promotional vinyls. The following is information from the back of one of the covers.

“Music has been called the universal language.‭ ‬It is believed to have functioned as a medium of communication well before its evolution as an entertainment form.‭ ‬Indeed,‭ ‬Darwin,‭ ‬Binet,‭ ‬and others have theorized that music preceded speech as a means of communication.‭ ‬Salk,‭ ‬Benedict,‭ ‬Thompson,‭ ‬and other researchers proved the power of music to affect blood pressure,‭ ‬heartbeat,‭ ‬pulse,‭ ‬metabolism,‭ ‬and muscular energy.‭ ‬Music can influence the body,‭ ‬mind,‭ ‬and emotions.

Using music as raw material,‭ ‬MUZAK specializes in psychological and physiological applications of music for non-entertainment functions.‭ ‬By its very nature,‭ ‬entertainment music requires active listening and intelligent involvement.‭ ‬MUZAK is different; ‬being specifically designed to function on a secondary level,‭ ‬it is “‬hear but not listened to.‭”

The unique knowledge and methodology of MUZAK is expressed in its concept of “‬stimulus progression programming.‭” ‬As represented in the artistic rendition on the cover,‭ ‬and the graph,‭ ‬opposite page,‭ ‬MUZAK selections are planned in ‬15-minute groups,‭ ‬starting with the least stimulating and advancing to the most stimulating selections.‭ ‬The result is a sense of forward movement and change,‭ ‬designed to mitigate tension,‭ ‬boredom,‭ ‬melancholy,‭ ‬and fatigue.

To achieve its singular function,‭ ‬MUZAK arranges and records its own “‬music to specification,‭” ‬maintaining control of crucial factors including tempo,‭ ‬rhythm,‭ ‬instrumentation,‭ ‬orchestra size,‭ ‬and rendition.‭ ‬The chart,‭ ‬opposite,‭ ‬illustrates the manner in which these elements are carried by design in each ‬15-minute segment of MUZAK programming.

This album demonstrates stimulus progression.‭ ‬Available from no other source,‭ ‬it was specially prepared to demonstrate the contemporary nature of MUZAK and the concept of stimulus progression.

Guided by a board of scientific advisers,‭ ‬MUZAK service is helping millions of people,‭ ‬international,‭ ‬to be happier,‭ ‬healthier,‭ ‬more efficient:‭ ‬children in educational applications,‭ ‬handicapped and retarded people,‭ ‬patients and medical staff in hospitals,‭ ‬personnel in offices,‭ ‬banks and insurance companies,‭ ‬and workers in a great variety of industrial situations,‭ ‬to name a few.‭ ‬It is not surprising that Music by MUZAK has been called “‬the sound heard ‘‬round the world.‭”

‭Far more than a name, MUZAK has spearheaded the unique usage of music called functional music. Since 1934, MUZAK has pioneered and developed this sound method of humanizing man-made environments. More than forty years of continuous research, testing, and development have wrought Stimulus Progression, a practical, inexpensive system for the advancement of areas where people work, shop, and recreate.” -Stimulus Progression #6