Musical mystery: What’s the origin of the self-titled album?

We all have albums in our library where it seemed as if the artist couldn’t be arsed to come up with a title. The self-titled album (the technical word for such a record is is “eponymous”) has been with us for decades. For example:

• The Beatles’ “white album” (1968)
• The first and fourth Led Zeppelin albums
• The first Fleetwood Mac album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (1975)
• Boston’s debut album (1976)
• The Smiths’ first record (1984)
• The Stone Roses debut (1989)
• Metallica’s “black” album (1991)
• All of Weezer’s colour-coded albums
• Etc.

Never really given the subject much thought, though, until this email appeared from Matt:

“This is a super random question, but one I’ve always kind of pondered: What is the history of the self-titled album? Why do so many bands do it? It’s so widespread that I would imagine there is an explanation of some sort.”

I, er…I have no idea. Can anyone offer some information or explanation?