Terry after John Burke:

> >> I don't want to see CSY throwing resources at the next 8-track.
>
> Now wait just a minute.
> I remember my 8-track very fondly.  It was easy to use.
> Didn't have to be turned over, was very fault tolerant and served me
> well for years.  And besides, it was invented by the same guy
> who built Lear Jets, so it was hitech by parentage.  ;-))

For those who have any knowledge of broadcasting, the 8-track was actually
an outgrowth of the tape cartridge used by many radio stations even today -
the good ol' "cart".  The speed was slower on the 8-track (3.5 inches per
second as opposed to the 7 inches per second on the cart) and the capstan
mechanism was different (the 8-track had a self-enclosed capstan whereas the
cart has a hole where the capstan mechanism is raised from the player
itself).  The major manufacturer of these tapes, and their players, was a
name which was not a household word - "Beaucart".

Before CD's, most stations in medium and major markets recorded single
pieces of music on carts because of their better cueing ability, the ability
for them to automatically switch from one to the next (resulting in
continuous play, allowing the announcer to take the much needed potty break,
etc).  Commercials, Station IDs and "sounders" are still on carts in many
stations (although some have gone to more digital forms).

Yeah, I remember my 8-track - it's in the attic somewhere, with the 100 or
so tapes.  Fond memories :)

Cheers,
Joe (anyone for "The Partridge Family"?) G.