78 Minus 33 Equals 45

The development of the new 33 1/3rpm vinyl that could have several tracks added to a single vinyl record, a big break-through in vinyl technology. RCA Victor was their archrival and competitor then in the vinyl recording industry. Columbia thought that by demonstrating the 33 1/3-rpm record would ensure the success of the new format, hoping RCA would gladly join them in using the format.

But, the president of NBC (owner of RCA Victor Records) was absolutely furious at being beaten by a competitor and in a blind rage, set a task for the RCA engineers to develop their own new format, the 45rpm. It is said that the 45-rpm came into existence when they took 78 and subtracted 33 which left them with 45, and hey presto the 45 rpm 7inch disc was created

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