U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 10

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 10

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

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10: 45 RPM RECORDS

Profile America -- Sunday, January 10th. The sound recording business became more complicated on this day in 1949 -- when RCA unveiled the 45 rpm record. 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. Seven-inch 45s soon took over the pop single market and were 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 electronic music downloaded to iPods. Nonetheless, Americans still buy about $7.5 billion worth of CDs each year. Profile America is in its 13th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Today in Science History
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1102

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 under the "Newsroom" button).

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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

Web Site: http://www.census.gov/

-------
Profile: intent