[Doug Houston]

I've had one with the Columbia name (hope I'm right) on it for several years....in the box, and never could generate any interest in it. They're handsome, as the picture shows, but not an item that causes a stampede.

There's an amusing tale about Sarnoff being invited to a pre-showing of the Columbia system. Dr. Peter Goldmark was credited for the development of the microgroove LP disc.
After a demonstration of the discs, Goldmark offered manufacturing rights to the discs at no cost. Sarnoff graciously thanked him, and said that he'd give it thought.

Now understand, RCA's 45 system had been on the shelf since about 1942 at that time, because Sarnoff didn't want it to take sales from shellac discs. He returned to his office, got his entire staff together, and lambasted them to pieces for letting Columbia get the drop on them, when it was Sarnoff's doing that kept the 45 system on ice.

He ordered the 45 system put into production immediately. It was announced in January, 1949, and hardware was in the stores by the following April.

The 45 system was wonderful, for those who wanted single discs. The little changers are nice too, but the LP records sort of outlated the 45's.