On September 1, 1910, the first gramophone record factory in Russia, known as the Aprelevka Gramophone Record Factory, began operations in the village of Aprelevka near Moscow. The factory was founded by German entrepreneurs Gottlieb (Bogdan) Moll and his son Johann (Ivan), a sound recording specialist. In its first year, 400,000 records were produced under the brands Metropol and Record, which quickly spread throughout the empire. These records featuring Russian folk songs and romances became popular at various events and family evenings.

After the revolution, Johann Moll was arrested and sent to prison, but in 1927 he was released to emigrate. His son, who served in the German Air Force, was captured in 1945 and spent time in Soviet camps, but later returned to Germany and visited the USSR and the factory founded by his grandfather several times. During the Soviet era, the factory experienced a flourishing period. In 1925, it was renamed the 'Factory of the Memory of 1905', and later, the 'Aprelevka Factory of the Memory of 1905'. The factory's emblem became a swallow holding a musical note in its beak.

In the early years after the revolution, records were used for propaganda. By Lenin's directive, the factory began producing recordings of speeches by Soviet leaders, including Lenin himself. However, soon the supply of shellac ran out, and production temporarily ceased. By the early 1930s, the factory resumed operations and became the main producer of records in the USSR, producing up to 19 million pieces per year. Due to a shortage of raw materials, a system was introduced to exchange old records for new ones.

During the war, record production decreased, and the factory switched to producing patriotic content. The famous 'Sacred War' was recorded here. In 1964, the factory became part of the 'Melody' firm, producing up to 60% of all Soviet records.

By 1991, when about 33 million records had been produced, the factory became unprofitable. The last batch was produced in 1997, after which production ceased. Vinyl records gave way to CDs, which were not produced in Aprelevka. The factory fell into disrepair, and its premises were leased to various companies. A complete reconstruction of the area is now planned: instead of an industrial zone, a city square with a shopping arcade, park, gramophone museum, and hotel is envisioned. Other spaces will likely be occupied by offices.