Cool Article from 1957 TIME Magazine

[Beck]

Something interesting we learned during the tape crisis last year is that Quantegy acquired AMPEX magnetic tape division and moved tape operations from Redwood California to Opelika Alabama in the mid 90's. What was so cool about it is that AMPEX magnetic division started when they acquired ORRadio in 1959, which started in guess where? Yep, Opelika Alabama.

Here's an interesting snap in time when tape was in its infancy right before AMPEX got in the game... enjoy.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/pr...862731,00.html

~Tim

[MadAudio]

Well then, Alabama can boast more than producing Jimistone!*

*If you don't hang in the Cave then you won't get this at all, I guarantee!

[cjacek]

Immensely interesting reading. Thanks Tim!

[turtlishous]

nice find....i do enjoy reading articals that make me feel smart....now i read stuff that pretains to digital anything and feel lost and well......stupid

[jpmorris]

What on earth was the unerasable archival tape they mentioned towards the end of the article?

[_DK]

Originally Posted by jpmorris

What on earth was the unerasable archival tape they mentioned towards the end of the article?

That's probably digital tape! Hahaha

[Dr ZEE]

Originally Posted by jpmorris

What on earth was the unerasable archival tape they mentioned towards the end of the article?

It sais: "Next month...", so we just have to wait a little
***********
Tim, thanks for posting the link. Great read.
I can read the whole thing as it was present, just "replace" names and "facts" (numbers) with A, B, C etc., like in algebra

[themaddog]

Neat article. While reading it, I was like, "What the hell is a kinescope?"

I soon found out though!

-MD

[Muckelroy]

What was that little tidbit I heard about the tape "never wearing out after repeated use?"

That's kinda like a tire salesman saying his tires will never need replacing.

Oh well, can you blame them? It was revolutionary at the time.

-callie-

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Well then, Alabama can boast more than producing Jimistone!*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[cjacek]

Nominee for quote of the year: "In the wonder world of electronics, much of the magic is performed by a simple looking device—a plastic ribbon covered with particles of iron oxide. Its name: magnetic tape." ~ TIME magazine, Monday, Aug. 26, 1957

[A Reel Person]

Orr sees unlimited uses for tape, not only for computers and automatic machines but for all manner of consumer products. Like other tapemakers, he sees tape recordings superseding phonograph records as soon as the cost can be cut. Before long, he expects, people will take home movies with electronic cameras employing magnetic tapes, run them off through their TV sets. Says he: "Our sales will be limited only by our capacity to produce."