Lemondrop

Format Wars: A History of What-Could-Have-Been, From Betamax to Dvorak {Switched}

Sep 29th 2010 3:39AM 45rpm and 33rpm were indeed competitors, the former being invented by RCA in its ongoing, bitter rivalry wtih Columbia. Look for the original RCA 45rpm players; the large center hole of the 45 was designed to be exclusive to them. Obviously, that didn't last as turntables soon followed with adaptors and variable speeds. The early RCA releases included album sets (like their 78rpm forerunners) and extended play formats, with good fidelity. We can look to the cylinder vs. disc as an example of competing formats in the very earliest days of the phonograph (Cylinders were offered in various sizes and formats, which ultimately confused the public and, along with their bulkier nature, led the disc to overtake the market.)