What is RCA?
[[File:Albert Einstein with other engineers and scientists at Marconi RCA radio station 1921.jpg|thumb|right|250px|{{Center|[[Albert Einstein]] with other engineers and scientists at Marconi RCA radio station 1921}}]] [[Image:RCA Electronics logo.svg|right|250px]] '''RCA Corporation''', originally the '''Radio Corporation of America''', was an [[United States|American]] [[electronics]] company. It was in existence from 1919 to 1986.<ref name=Cox41>Jim Cox, ''American Radio Networks: A History'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2009), p. 41</ref> The RCA [[trademark]] is used by [[Sony Music Entertainment]] and Talisman Brands, which licenses the name to other companies, among them [[Audiovox|Voxx International]], Alco Electronics, Curtis International and [[TCL Corporation]]. == History == After [[World War I]] began in August 1914, the western Allies cut the [[Germany|German]] [[transatlantic telegraph cable]]s. 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).<ref>Eric P. Wenaas, ''Radiola: The Golden Age of RCA, 1919-1929'' (Chandler, AZ: Sonoran, 2007), p. viii</ref> 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 (broadcasting)|public affairs]] programs.<ref name=Cox41/> Finally, in 1986, General Electric bought back RCA, along with [[NBC]], for $6.28 [[million]].<ref name=Cox41/> 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 == {{reflist}} {{NBCUniversal}} {{US-stub}} [[Category:1919 establishments in the United States]] [[Category:1986 disestablishments in the United States]] [[Category:Companies based in New York C