One of the most popular formats for commercially produced pre-recorded audio was Philips’ Compact Cassette. From its inception in 1968, the Compact Cassette, which was comprised of a magnetic tape, passed between two spools inside of a plastic casing, would be a viable option for consumers well into the 2000s, retaining its relevance from the age of the Vinyl record through the advent, and eventual takeover of the Compact Disc.

A unique feature of the tape cassette format is its ability to record 2 sets of stereo tracks, with 1 set exclusive to each direction the tape is ran. Which is why you might remember having to flip over the compact cassette to hear the remainder of the content as it ran the tape back in the opposite direction.

Though the majority of the music industry has moved on from the limited format, there is still an active niche marketplace on the independent music scene, so there’s still a chance you might find the next big hit on the enduring Compact Cassette!