Acetate discs were introduced prior to the second World War. They were used as a means for artists and producers to test the sound quality of audio that was transferred to disc. They weren’t sold for retail. If anything, they were the prototypes for the vinyl brethren that ended up within the public’s hands.
They were rigid and firm, made from lacquer and aluminum. However, unlike vinyl, they were not made to withstand the test of time. With each play, the record would erode quickly. Sound quality would disintegrate, until it became nothing. Songs written to be heard would quickly disappear with each listen.
Acetate discs were not made for repeat enjoyment. However, what if a song were to be recorded solely on an acetate disc? Say the master tape had been destroyed. Say the song had never been transcribed. Say that each person who had listened to the acetate knew nothing of music, but became enraptured by the one particular song that this acetate contained?
With each listen, the song was being killed.