On This Date In Music

1949 - The vinyl record format war heats up as RCA introduces the 45-RPM, 7-inch record. It eventually replaces the 78-RPM record for "singles”, one song on each side. The format takes off in the early years of the rock era.
RCA had announced the new format, and introduced the player in January of '49, but it was months later till there was a use for it. The first 45, was released on March 31, 1949; it was the RCA Victor label's "Texarkana Baby" b/w "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold.