<P> Unwilling to accept and license Columbia 's system , in February 1949 , RCA Victor released the first 45 rpm single , 7 inches in diameter with a large center hole . The 45 rpm player included a changing mechanism that allowed multiple disks to be stacked , much as a conventional changer handled 78s . The short playing time of a single 45 rpm side meant that long works , such as symphonies , had to be released on multiple 45s instead of a single LP , but RCA claimed that the new high - speed changer rendered side breaks so brief as to be inaudible or inconsequential . Early 45 rpm records were made from either vinyl or polystyrene . They had a playing time of eight minutes . </P>
<P> Unwilling to accept and license Columbia 's system , in February 1949 , RCA Victor released the first 45 rpm single , 7 inches in diameter with a large center hole . The 45 rpm player included a changing mechanism that allowed multiple disks to be stacked , much as a conventional changer handled 78s . The short playing time of a single 45 rpm side meant that long works , such as symphonies , had to be released on multiple 45s instead of a single LP , but RCA claimed that the new high - speed changer rendered side breaks so brief as to be inaudible or inconsequential . Early 45 rpm records were made from either vinyl or polystyrene . They had a playing time of eight minutes . </P>
when did the first 45 record come out
when did the first 45 record come out
February 1949
February 1949