RCA

RCA Corporation, originally the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company. It was in existence from 1919 to 1986.^[1] The RCA trademark is used by Sony Music Entertainment and Talisman Brands, which licenses the name to other companies, among them Voxx International, Alco Electronics, Curtis International and TCL Corporation.

Albert Einstein with other engineers and scientists at Marconi RCA radio station 1921

History

After World War I began in August 1914, the western Allies cut the German transatlantic telegraph cables. This caused a tremendous increase in radio traffic across the Atlantic Ocean. The General Electric corporation made the acquisition of Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America in 1919. With this they formed the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).^[2] In 1926, RCA created the first nationwide broadcast network, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). After the golden age of radio had passed, RCA began to decline. In 1982 they ended most of their public affairs programs.^[1] Finally, in 1986, General Electric bought back RCA, along with NBC, for $6.28 million.^[1] In 1988, General Electric sold the right to use its brand on consumer electronics, as well as various assets of RCA, excluding NBC, to Thomson.

References

1. Jim Cox, American Radio Networks: A History (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2009), p. 41
2. Eric P. Wenaas, Radiola: The Golden Age of RCA, 1919-1929 (Chandler, AZ: Sonoran, 2007), p. viii