RCA

RCA Origins

RCA, originally the Radio Corporation of America, was founded in 1919 and began manufacturing turntables and other consumer electronics in the 1920s. RCA’s entry into consumer electronics started in 1929 when it purchased the Victor Talking Machine Company, becoming RCA Victor. This acquisition included the rights to the famous “Victrola” trademark and positioned RCA as a major player in the phonograph and record industry. RCA Victor then developed and released the first 331⁄3 rpm records to the public in 1931, although this format was a commercial failure during the Great Depression.