First compression pedals?

Was it the MXR DynaComp? I know that The Ventures and the Byrds had homemade compression devices they used. What were the funk and country guys using live when the dyna comps weren`t around?

Wasn't the Orange Squeezer an early compressor?

Wasn't the Orange Squeezer an early compressor?

It definitely looks early..anyone know the exact year these came out?

I believe the OS and Dyna Comp were the first. ROSS compressor came out as a warmer tweaked version of the Dyna Comp.

I prefer the Dyna Comp to the Orange Squeezer but both are great compressors. I prefer squashier compressors as I don't use a comp as an always on pedal - I use it for that snap n pop and that classic squash you hear on classic recordings. I don't care for transparent studio type and/or optical compressors. Too transparent for me. I like the heaviness.

My favorite modern compressor is the Keeley 4 Knob. Very old school heavy compression similar to a ROSS. A warmer version of the Dyna Comp but slightly more transparent but still heavy.