How much do you know about the political map colors used?

I had been curious about the colors used in political maps which seem to have been decided upon long before the personal computers were widely available and after color TV became common.
During the 1960s black and white images predominated and we were amid the Cold War. Red was associated with the left stemming from the USSR and Red China among others.
“There's nothing about the color assignations which are unchangeable, of course. We could just as easily use orange and green, but for the fact that red and blue offer much more contrast (and therefore are good for television).”
“The 1976 NBC map, which was a huge, physical map constructed of wood and plastic. When they practiced lighting up the bulbs, the plastic started to melt, requiring the installation of giant air conditioners.”
Images: 1976 ABC Election Map; 1976 NBC Election Map; 1984 Election Map

a. Red was assigned to the republicans and blue to the democrats by a coin toss after color TV was widely available.
b. Red was color non-grata in American politics in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the Cold War. Red, and was associated with the Soviet Union, and with left-leaning parties internationally. NBC kept using red-for-Democrats, blue-for-Republicans until at least 1984.
c. The colors have been standard since the 1988 election with red for republicans and blue for democrats.
d. Both B and C are correct. Red did indicate left leaning until 1980s and was standardized as republican by 1988