How a forgotten 1949 Format War shaped the future of records

Techmoan・2 minutes read

Vinyl singles and albums have different sizes, speeds, and spindle hole sizes, with the LP format replacing the 78 rpm record after World War II, leading to a format war between Columbia and RCA over 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds. RCA eventually gave in to producing LPs due to market demands and efficiency testing showing that 45rpm was the most efficient speed, transitioning away from 45-only albums to embrace the LP format.

Insights

  • Vinyl singles and albums have distinct sizes, speeds, and spindle hole sizes, with singles at 7 inches, 45 rpm, and large spindle holes, while albums are 12 inches, 33 and a third rpm, and have small spindle holes.
  • The LP format introduced by Columbia post-World War II offered numerous advantages like longer playtime and better audio quality, leading to a format war with RCA's 45. Despite RCA's initial resistance, they eventually succumbed to market pressure and shifted to producing LPs, impacting the music industry's trajectory away from the 45 system.

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Recent questions

  • What are the differences between vinyl singles and albums?

    Vinyl singles are 7 inches, play at 45 rpm, and have a large spindle hole. Vinyl albums are 12 inches, play at 33 and a third rpm, and have a small spindle hole. These formats were the result of a format war between companies, leading to deliberately incompatible sizes.

  • Why were LP records introduced as a replacement for 78 rpm records?

    LP records were introduced after World War II by Columbia to replace the 78 rpm records. They offered advantages like longer playtime, better audio quality, and durability. The LP format had a higher groove density, lighter pickups, and cheaper production costs compared to previous formats.

  • Who played a significant role in the development and transition to the LP format?

    Edward Wallace Stein, a key figure in the development of the LP format, had previously worked at RCA and played a significant role in the transition to the new format. Columbia strategically prepared for the LP format's launch, giving them a competitive edge over other record labels.

  • What were the key features of RCA's 45 format?

    RCA's 45 format was a 7-inch disc playing at 45 rpm, initially designed for home use with efficient disc changers resembling jukeboxes. The format introduced colored vinyl discs with a color-coding scheme for different genres, boasting benefits like better sound quality, easy loading, and affordability.

  • Why did RCA eventually give in to producing LPs after initially resisting?

    RCA engineers determined that 45rpm was the most efficient speed for records, covering 90% of consumer preferences. Despite initially resisting LP production, RCA eventually gave in due to pressure from artists and market demands. The decline of 45-only albums led to RCA producing LPs to meet consumer needs.

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Summary

00:00

Evolution of Vinyl Records: Singles vs. Albums

  • Vinyl singles and albums differ in size, with singles being 7 inches and albums 12 inches, playing at speeds of 45 and 33 and a third revolutions per minute, respectively.
  • The spindle hole size also varies between singles and albums, with singles having a large spindle hole and albums having a small one.
  • The formats of singles and albums were the result of a format war between two companies 70 years ago, leading to deliberately incompatible formats.
  • The 78 rpm record was the standard before the introduction of the LP in 1948 by Columbia, offering advantages like longer playtime, better audio quality, and durability.
  • The LP format was introduced as a replacement for the 78 rpm record after World War II, with Columbia leading the transition to the new format.
  • The term "album" originally referred to a book containing records, with early LPs being 10-inch discs and later transitioning to 12-inch discs.
  • The LP format had advantages like longer playtime, improved fidelity, and cheaper production costs compared to previous formats.
  • The LP format had a higher groove density and lighter pickups, resulting in a wider range of sounds and reduced surface noise.
  • Edward Wallace Stein, a key figure in the development of the LP format, had previously worked at RCA and played a significant role in the transition to the new format.
  • Columbia's strategic preparation for the LP format's launch, including mastering music for 33 and a third speed years before its release, gave them a competitive edge over other record labels.

14:33

RCA's 45 Format Competes with Columbia's LP

  • Columbia invited RCA to discuss their developments, but RCA seemed vague and didn't mention the 45 format.
  • RCA later resurrected their 45 project, initially started before the war, to compete with Columbia's LP.
  • RCA announced their 45 format in January 1949, with a 7-inch disc playing at 45 rpm and a changer unit.
  • The 45 format faced naming issues but eventually stuck with "45."
  • RCA launched the 45 format a year after Columbia's LP, heavily advertising its benefits in Billboard.
  • The 45 format was initially designed for home use, with efficient disc changers resembling jukeboxes.
  • The 45 format introduced colored vinyl discs with a color-coding scheme for different genres.
  • The 45 format boasted benefits like better sound quality, easy loading, and affordability.
  • RCA promoted 45 albums, which required stacking discs for continuous play, unlike LPs.
  • RCA eventually gave in to producing LPs due to pressure from artists and market demands, after initially resisting.

29:27

RCA's 45rpm Records: Efficiency and Incompatibility

  • RCA engineers determined through testing that 45rpm was the most efficient speed for records, covering 90% of consumer preferences.
  • The choice of 45rpm was likely to create incompatibility, ensuring consumers would need RCA discs for their RCA records.
  • RCA's 33 and a third records were claimed to be superior, with RCA positioning their 45-only players towards a younger audience by reducing prices.
  • RCA's colored vinyl scheme was dropped due to cost, with most 45 releases being on black vinyl, leading to the decline of 45-only albums.
  • The concept of albums as a collection of singles might have been different if the 45 system had prevailed over LPs, impacting iconic albums like Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
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