Oct 17, 1919 CE
RCA Founded
The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) is founded as a subsidiary of General Electric to acquire the assets of the American Marconi company, establishing a dominant position in radio. #history #technology
Chronological Storyline (35 Milestones)
Nov 2, 1920 CE
First RCA Commercial Radio Broadcast
RCA broadcasts the first commercial radio program through station WJZ (later WABC), marking the start of regular radio broadcasting in the US. #radio #history
Sep 9, 1926 CE
NBC Founded by RCA
RCA forms the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) as a subsidiary, creating the first major radio network in the United States. #broadcasting #history
By ™/®Comcast (via NBCUniversal) - Logopedia, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125800384
Jan 4, 1929 CE
RCA Acquires Victor Talking Machine
RCA acquires the Victor Talking Machine Company, gaining the iconic Nipper logo and entering the phonograph and record business, forming RCA Victor. #music #business
1930 CE
RCA Begins Radio Manufacturing
RCA starts mass-producing radios for the consumer market, becoming a leading manufacturer of radio receivers. #manufacturing #technology
1931 CE
RCA Develops First Electronic Television System
RCA engineer Vladimir Zworykin develops the iconoscope, a key component for electronic television, laying groundwork for television technology. #television #invention
By Produced by Ganz (William J.) Co. and Radio Corporation of America (RCA) - Screenshot from the Story of Television from the Prelinger Archives in the Internet Archive, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11144147
1932 CE
Antitrust Consent Decree Forces License of Patents
Under government antitrust pressure, RCA agrees to license its radio patents to competitors on nondiscriminatory terms, opening the industry. #antitrust #law
Apr 30, 1939 CE
RCA Demonstrates Television at World's Fair
RCA showcases its electronic television system at the 1939 New York World's Fair, including the first live TV broadcast of a presidential speech by FDR. #television #history
By Joseph Binder - https://www.flickr.com/photos/157979053@N04/44125406064, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115594246
1941 CE
RCA Contributes to NTSC TV Standard
RCA's technology is instrumental in the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard for black-and-white television broadcasting in the US. #television #standard
By Akomor1 - Own work; derived from File:BlankMap-World6.svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2314395
1942 CE
RCA Develops Radar for WWII
RCA produces radar and other military electronics for World War II, including the SCR-268, becoming a major defense contractor. #war #technology
1945 CE
RCA Enters Television Production
RCA begins mass production of television sets for the consumer market, with the 630TS model leading early sales. #television #consumer
1949 CE
RCA Introduces 45 RPM Record
RCA Victor launches the 45 RPM vinyl record as a competitor to Columbia's 33⅓ RPM LP, revolutionizing the music industry. #music #technology
By Banfield - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9938375
Dec 17, 1953 CE
FCC Approves RCA Color TV Standard
The FCC adopts RCA's color television system as the US standard, triumphing over CBS's mechanical system and enabling color broadcasting. #television #history
By RCA Victor / Photographer not credited - ebay, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101282502
Apr 23, 1954 CE
First RCA Color TV Set Released
RCA introduces the CT-100, the first mass-produced color television set, priced at $1,000, marking the commercial start of color TV. #television #consumer
By HumanisticRationale at English Wikipedia - American Museum Of Radio And Electricity, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10522570
1957 CE
RCA Builds First Transistorized Computer
RCA develops the RCA 501, one of the first fully transistorized commercial computers, entering the data processing market. #computing #technology
By Bubba73 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=176759044
1961 CE
RCA Demonstrates Satellite Communications
RCA provides equipment for Project Echo, the first passive communications satellite, demonstrating the feasibility of satellite communications. #space #technology
By NASA Langley Research Center / NACA - This image or video was catalogued by Langley Research Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: LRC-1958-B701_P-00557., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150470231
Jul 10, 1962 CE
RCA Supports Telstar Satellite
RCA builds the ground station and communications equipment for Telstar, the first active communications satellite, enabling live transatlantic TV. #space #television
By Rama - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 fr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70029227
1964 CE
RCA Introduces Spectra 70 Computer Line
RCA launches the Spectra 70 series, a family of IBM-compatible mainframe computers, aiming to compete with IBM in the corporate market. #computing #business
By Orange County Archives - Flickr: Computer in County of Orange offices, 1967, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18587963
1965 CE
RCA Acquires Random House
RCA diversifies into publishing by acquiring Random House, one of the largest book publishers, for $40 million. #publishing #business
1966 CE
RCA Builds First Commercial Communications Satellite
RCA builds Satcom-1 (later RCA Satcom) for its own satellite system, becoming a major provider of satellite communications services. #space #technology
1970 CE
RCA Reports Losses in Computer Division
RCA's computer business suffers major losses, forcing the company to reassess its commitment to the IBM-dominated mainframe market. #computing #business
1971 CE
David Sarnoff Dies; Robert Sarnoff Becomes Chairman
Founder David Sarnoff passes away; his son Robert Sarnoff takes over as chairman, facing challenges from RCA's diversification struggles. #leadership #history
By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11403975
1972 CE
RCA Exits Mainframe Computer Business
RCA sells its mainframe computer division to Sperry Rand (Univac), exiting the computer market after heavy losses. #computing #business
1974 CE
RCA Introduces Home Video System (SelectaVision)
RCA launches SelectaVision, a magnetic tape video recorder for home use (VCR format), competing with Sony's Betamax. #technology #homevideo
1976 CE
RCA Sells Random House
RCA sells Random House to Newhouse Newspapers, reversing its diversification strategy and focusing on core electronics. #publishing #business
1977 CE
RCA Launches SelectaVision VideoDisc
RCA introduces the SelectaVision VideoDisc system, a capacitance-based video disc player, intending to compete with VCRs. #technology #homevideo
By Nylix4488 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=195315570
1981 CE
RCA Videodisc Fails Commercially
RCA discontinues the SelectaVision VideoDisc after poor sales, resulting in a $580 million write-off, one of the largest consumer electronics failures. #business #failure
1983 CE
RCA Sells NBC Radio Network
RCA sells the NBC Radio Network to Westwood One, ending its ownership of the original radio network. #broadcasting #business
By NBC - https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/logopedia/images/c/c2/NBC_Radio_Red_Network.svg/revision/latest?cb=20201226050651, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170890141
Dec 12, 1985 CE
General Electric Announces Acquisition of RCA
General Electric (GE) announces a $6.4 billion merger with RCA, reuniting the company with its founding parent after decades. #business #merger
Jun 9, 1986 CE
Acquisition Completed; GE Sells RCA Consumer Electronics
GE completes the acquisition of RCA and immediately sells most of RCA's consumer electronics division to Thomson SA (France), retaining NBC and other assets. #business #history
1987 CE
Thomson Launches RCA Brand TV Sets
Thomson begins selling television sets under the RCA brand, continuing the brand's presence in the market despite the end of the original company. #television #brand
1990 CE
RCA Brand Licensed for Various Products
After the dissolution, the RCA brand is licensed to multiple companies for consumer electronics, home appliances, and other products, becoming a licensing asset. #brand #licensing
2000 CE
RCA Brand Acquired by Audiovox (Now Voxx International)
Audiovox acquires the rights to the RCA brand for consumer electronics, later becoming Voxx International, managing the brand globally. #brand #business
2016 CE
RCA Brand Returns to Television Sets
The RCA brand re-enters the TV market under license by TTE Technology (a joint venture between TCL and Thomson), selling affordable LCD TVs. #television #brand
2023 CE
RCA Brand Continues as Licensing Powerhouse
The RCA brand remains active in consumer electronics, appliances, and audio products through multiple licensees, with annual retail sales in the billions. #brand #modern