"Here is the Apr. 2 1949 Advertisement in Billboard. This was the week,
or pretty darn close to it, for the initial release of the 45. Actually
March 31, 1949 was the kick-off day.
Congratulations to our associates, the RCA Victor Dealers everywhere,
whose confidence in RCA Victor has made possible this 50-year marketing
achievement. To them must go much of the praise for these two newest
and finest examples of research and engineering -- the best automatic
changer ever built -- the finest record ever made. For, without the
assurance of it's dealer's confidence, no company could undertake any
major improvement in home entertainment.
Without the confidence of its dealers in 1923, RCA Victor, founder of
the phonograph and record business, could never have started radio down
its billion-dollar road. Countless other improvements could never have
reached the market if it were not for the great confidence RCA Victor
dealers have in RCA Victor products. Include Television! Here is a
50-million dollar RCA investment which is today establishing itself as
another billion-dollar business for dealers across the country.
And, what inspires this great dealer confidence? Many things...too many
to enumerate here. But, proof that it is worth having, lies in the fact
that today the RCA Victor dealer franchise is the most profitable in
the entire industry. With the continued confidence of dealers and with
the unique foresight of RCA Victor management, and RCA Victor franchise
will remain the most profitable in the entire industry.
The new RCA Victor system of recorded music is a shining example of
management's foresight. With continued dealer confidence the ultimate
profit is inevitable. Work started on the new system in 1939. RCA
Victor engineers were granted complete freedom of action...freedom from
even the major inhibitions, such as non-standardization of record
sizes, and speed of turntables. Engineers had but a goal... to produce
the finest changer and record ever conceived. The customers' dollars
will prove that these engineers reached their goal. The new RCA Victor
record and changer constitute the sensible, modern, inexpensive way to
enjoy recorded music. The product is ready... the public is ready. A
demonstration, more than ever before, means a "close." Its advantages
will eventually make it the only way to play music in the home.
Meanwhile, RCA Victor will continue to provide its dealers with 78 rpm
records and record playing equipment. This period is not one of
revolution but one of transition."
Of course this is corporate copy, but it gives a date at least...
<L>
Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689
On Jun 15, 2006, at 3:24 PM, Juan Moreno wrote:
_History of the 45 rpm Record_ (http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/history.html)
Juan A. Moreno Velazquez
Author, Entertainment Writer and Consultant
917 673 6962