U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 10

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10: 45 RPM RECORDS

Profile America — Tuesday, January 10th.  A new recording format appeared on this date in 1949 — the 45 rpm 7-inch record with a big hole in the center, developed by RCA.  So-called "long-play" recordings, either 10 or 12 inches and turning at 33 rpm, had been around for a few years, but older, 78 rpm technology was still used for recording single musical selections.  The new 45s soon took over the pop single market, and the little records became the favorite of teenagers across the country until 8-track tapes and cassettes came along.  More recently, CDs have been the standard, but they are giving way quickly to electronically downloaded music.  Nonetheless, Americans still buy about $3.4 billion worth of CDs each year.  Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources:  440 International Calendar, Those Were the Days
Today in Science History
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1140

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

CONTACT:  Rick Reed of the U.S. Census Bureau, +1-301-763-2812, fax: +1-301-763-3762, rreed-at-census.gov

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau