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In 1948 Records (CBS) produced the new concept 12-inch unbreakable vinyl discs that could play from 25 to 30 minutes. The original standard shellac disc had revolved at 78-rpm, but the old typed 12-inch record discs had to be changed automatically or manually every five minutes thus, the make-up had to break up the continuity of longer moving parts; the 12-inch LP, revolving at 33 and 1/3-rpm, could hold the average symphony, sonata, or quartet on a single side. Moreover, the new discovery of the vinyl discs had much quieter surfaces than the shellac discs. RCA Victor recording company soon counteracted with its own microgroove records in producing the beloved seven-inch 45-rpm vinyl disc and each 45-rpm disc contained approximately as much music as the 12-inch 78-rpm disc, but the package was smaller. By 1950, a pattern had been set: 12-inch LPs for classical works and popular albums, 45s for individual popular songs. Extended-play 45s were also developed and successfully marketed. The 33-rpm LP opened up an entirely new market; this new technology was not just for the older record collectors but also to capture a new generation of record buyers making the long playing records a novelty |
