Thor-CD

Thor-CD was a re-recordable CD format proposed in 1988 by Tandy Corporation.^[1]

Prior to the introduction of recordable compact discs, Tandy announced a comparable CD format named Thor-CD,^[2] otherwise known as the Tandy High-Density Optical Recording (THOR) system, claiming to offer support for erasable and rewritable discs, made possible by a "secret coating material" on which Tandy had applied for patents,^[3] and reportedly based partly on a process developed by Optical Data Inc.,^[4] with research and development undertaken at Tandy's Magnetic Media Research Center.^[5]

Also known as the Tandy High-Intensity Optical Recording system, THOR-CD media was intended to be playable in existing CD players, being compatible with existing CD audio and CD-ROM equipment, with the discs themselves employing a layer in which the "marks", "bumps" or "pits" readable by a conventional CD player could be established in, and removed from, the medium by a laser operating at a different frequency.^[4] Tandy's announcement was surprising enough to "catch half a dozen industries off guard",^[6] claiming availability of consumer-level audio and video products below $500 by the end of 1990,^[3] and inviting other organisations to license the technology.^[7]

Tandy's announcement attracted enthusiasm but also skepticism of Tandy's capability to deliver the system,^[5] with the latter proving to be justified, the technology having been "announced... heavily promoted; then it was delayed, and finally, it just never appeared".^[8] After being pushed back for several years, it was finally cancelled due to steep manufacturing costs.^[9]

See also

• Vaporware