I Still Have A Tape Player

Somewhere between the early 70's and the turn of the century there was one medium that, even when became irrelevent, they still installed the equipment for in most new vehicles, most component stereo systems, and even things like boats and RV's. I'm thinking of the cassette tape. If you were thinking of anything else, I'd kind of like to know what it was.

Although the manufacture of cassette tapes for public consumption dropped drastically in the mid to late 1990's, there were still provisions for cassette tapes in auto stereos until 2005 (and perhaps even past then, and in many component stereos even today.

Now, this could be so people could play their old collection of cassettes (which shouldn't be that large), or it could be for something much larger.

Thurston Moore wrote a book about the mixed tape. Nick Hornby wrote a book that defined the rules of making one; and later John Cusack appeared in the movie based on the book. It's been a way to inform and exchange ideas. It's been a way to let your friends know what you listen to. It's been a cheesy valentine's day present. It's been a staple of pop culture for perhaps 30 years.

I still have a tape player; and I intend to use it.