Pocket Disc Record - The Original 4” Flexi Disc Americom Corp Glen Campbell

Description: The Pocket Discs (called by Philco-Ford "hip pocket discs" were flexi discs, intended to be carried around in your pocket and played when you got to a record player (at your friend's house, or wherever). There were certain players that were designed to be used with both Pocket Discs and standard 45's. The Pocket Disc was manufactured by Americom, Inc. from 1966 to 1969. A former president of RCA, Lawrence Kanaga, came up with the idea for the Pocket Disc. Americom, which had previously pressed records for use in communications, pioneered the format, marketing it to the record companies as an alternative single. Since some record companies were testing the waters to see if they could stop pressing singles, the Pocket Disc offered them an opportunity, also allowing singles to be offered cheaply to folks who did not wish to purchase the more expensive LP. Americom giant Fred Hyman reports having explained to record company bigwigs the usefulness of a format that could be played "on the go." After approximately two years piloting the format and arranging for record company partners, Americom formally began test marketing the discs in the Seattle area in Fall, 1968. Capitol/Apple was among several record companies which made an arrangement with Americom to release certain of its latest hit singles in the Pocket Disc format. These carry crude Capitol and Apple labels, with some of the Apple discs having the Capitol logo (just as the singles did). In the listings, the Americom catalog number is listed, along with the Capitol/Apple number. Americom's discs ran 33 1/3 RPM and were 3.75" in diameter. If a song ran over three and one half minutes, it was edited in order for the format to accommodate it. Apparently the editing was done at the record company level, and not by Americom. The discs were available via Americom vending machines - with the idea being that the instance of theft would be reduced. Each came in a generic (red or blue) Pocket Disc sleeve.

Price: 225 USD

Location: Bothell, Washington

End Time: 2024-10-06T07:07:39.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.38 USD