*snip*
>However, using vinyl as the material was much better than what was used before which was shellac. These were very easy to break. Dropping one could break it.

You have finally explained one of the mysteries of the universe to me. If you watch old movies you see people breaking records over their heads or records breaking in jagged pieces quite easily.

Having tried to do this using my brother's head when I was younger, I can state categorically that vinyl doesn't do that. :-)