The History of Stereo Cassette Recorders

The beginning of the invention of the stereo cassette recorder dates back to 1877 when Thomas Edison invented the first sound reproducer and recorder. The stereo cassette recorder and the way we listen to music has changed dramatically since then.

Magnetic Recording

The way today's stereo cassette players work is by magnetic recording, which was first developed in the 1920s. By the 1930s and 40s the most prevalent form of recording was magnetic recording on tapes and wires.

Introduction

By the late 1950s a much lighter version, compared to what was being used in the 30s and 40s, was introduced. This form of cassette recorder was mainly developed for news and film crews that were on the road.

Cassettes and Cartridges

By the mid 1960s, various manufacturers developed different cassettes and cartridges to make operating the cassette recorder a simpler task. The first cassette to become widely used was known as the 8-track tape. In the late 60s, a compact cassette was introduced by Phillips.

Walkman

In the 1980s, Sony introduced the Walkman to the public. The Walkman was a handheld personal cassette recorder that was listened to with headphones.

Boom Box

Soon after Sony introduced the Walkman, the boom box was released to the public as well. The boom box was a portable cassette recorder and player that had large speakers for increased volume.

References

• Canada Science and Technology Museum