1963
The Philips Company of the Netherlands invents and releases the first compact audio cassette. They use high quality polyester 1/8 incl tape produced by BASF. Recording and playback is at a speed of 1.7/8 inches per second. The next year in the US, sales begin of the Norelco Carry-Corder dictation machine that uses the new cassette tape. The consumer demand for blank tape for personal music recording is unanticipated by Philips.
