Here is what I have heard about this:
In the mid '20s Western Electric decided to devise a sound movie system
using synchronized discs.
They began by calling around to theaters in New York and determining that
the films were being run at about 24 frames per second. (For various
reasons projection speeds had been creeping up from the original practice
of 15-16 fps.)
They calculated that a 16" disc, cut with the then-standard 3 mil stylus
and revolving at 35 rpm, would produce sound of adequate quality for the
length of one reel of film.
They rummaged around in the junk box for stock gears to couple the
projector to the turntable and came upon a combination that produced 33 1/3
rpm at the 24 fps film speed. Close enough.
It was a klunky system and W.E. soon abandoned it (as did everyone else) in
favor of a sound-on-film system.
In the meantime, radio was looking for a means of recording programs for
later broadcast. The 16" discs filled the bill--sort of. They came to be
called "transcriptions" (originally because there was a prejudice against
recorded programs) and remained the medium of choice for syndicated and
delayed network shows until the introduction of magnetic tape after WWII.
RCA Victor did indeed introduce a system of 33 1/3 records in the early
'30s. I believe this system incorporated a smaller groove (necessary for
obtaining adequate high frequency response at the slower speed) but the
necessary high fidelity, light weight playback equipment and quiter surface
material necessary for satisfactory results had not been invented yet and
the system was a failure.
Peter Goldmark at Columbia resurrected the idea after the war and the
system, with light weight, crystal cartridges and quiet vinyl surfaces took
off immediately in 1948.
Columbia had offered the patents to the entire recording industry but at
RCA Sarnoff had a snit and caused his company to dust off the 45 rpm
system, which had been sitting on a laboratory shelf since 1939, and charge
into what came to be regarded as the "speed wars" of the '50s.
The home disc cutters of the '30s and '40s incorporated the 33 1/3 rpm
speed as a means of producing longer, uninterrupted recordings, but with
their 3 mil grooves and the noisy, acetate surfaces, did not satisfy most
music lovers.
Norm Lehfeldt
Post by n***@mytrashmail.comPost by toxcrusadrNone of which really explains why Philco would have put a 33 speed on a
1936 radio-phono. Even if movie soundtracks were on 12" discs then,
who would be playing those at home anyway? Were they anticipating that
the medium would take off and be used for general music reproduction?
Tox
(RCA) Victor offered some 33 1/3 rpm records during the early and mid
1930s.