Your memory is bad, there has always been options as to how to listen to music. Even before the 20th century you have the option of cylinder machines and the Berliner disc. And of course you had the player piano, with Pianola rolls and the equivalent for organs and don't forget the musical box.
Since 1948 we have had the LP which coexisted with the 78. AM radio started to be widely broadcast in the early 20s. 1948 also saw the introduction of FM broadcasting. The reel to reel recorder made great strides fast after WW II, and magnetic tape was found in Germany.
So this is the front end we had around 1955 at home.
Sugden turntable.
Radio isn't playback material. I didn't think was relevant to this conversation to bring up radio.
That plinth would have been added later. Our equipment was installed in an antique clothes chest. Tracking force was 10 GM!
Leak AM radio tuner.
FM broadcasting cam to the UK in 1955 and an HMV FM tuner was added. I can't find a picture of it.
The quality was then good enough to justify a Ferrograph tape recorder like this.
Preamp Leak RC/PA/U
Power amp Leak TL 10
So we had more than LP.