Audio cassette tapes first appeared on the market in the early nineteen-sixties, but it would take about a decade before they became popular. By the eighties, blank tapes had become a household necessity for music lovers, allowing them to create their own customized listening experiences. Different brands like Philips, Fuji, Sony, and many more offered a variety of choices for consumers.
Some people reminisce about famous cassette tape taglines like “Is it live or is it Memorex?” or Maxell’s “Blown Away Guy.” The design of the cassette itself triggers nostalgia for those who used to create their own tapes.
Tapedeck.org, created by Oliver Gelbrich, showcases the unique designs of audio tape cassettes from different eras. It highlights the colorful and creative evolution of cassette designs through the decades. The archive allows users to explore tapes based on brand, running time, color, and even tape coating.
The resurgence of cassette tapes in the digital age is a testament to their enduring appeal. Artists now release music on cassette tapes, appealing to a new generation. The mixtape culture has seen a revival, with cassette-only releases becoming popular. This trend is not limited to one region, as seen in cafes offering tape rentals in Seoul.
via Colossal
Related content:
Home Taping Is Killing Music: When the Music Industry Waged War on the Cassette Tape During the 1980s, and Punk Bands Fought Back
Listen to Audio Arts: The 1970s Tape Cassette Arts Magazine Featuring Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp & Many Others
The Beauty of Degraded Art: Why We Like Scratchy Vinyl, Grainy Film, Wobbly VHS & Other Analog-Media Imperfection
Attention K-Mart Shoppers: Hear 90 Hours of Background Music & Ads from the Retail Giant’s 1980s and 90s Heyday
A Free Digital Archive of Graphic Design: A Curated Collection of Design Treasures from the Internet Archive
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
