The Man Who Invented Album Covers

"Most people who have bought any musical recordings over the past 60 years might have assumed they always came in covers, or sleeves, or jackets, that featured a colorful graphic designed to enhance the lure of the music.
They didn't. Album covers had to be invented. This was a task that largely fell to a Brooklyn kid named Alex Steinweiss. ..."
Continue reading this article in New York Daily News. (via Coudal Partners)

Much more about Alex and his invention here (also with quite a few nice examples). And here's the Wiki-entry on Alex Steinweiss.