XenonJohn recreates a portable audio player from an alternate timeline -

This is an admittedly mad project to see what might have happened if Sony had invented the Walkman earlier than they did – and made it so it took 8 track tape cartridges (which came before cassette tapes were invented).

In other words, can I make a personal 8 track player with just headphones in the style of a Walkman?
How small can I make it? Bear in mind it needs quite a bit of power to move the tape loop around inside the cartridge.

Indeed the 7 rechargeable batteries used add some bulk, but it’s certainly a unique portable player! Check out the how-to plus some interesting retro-tech info in the instructable.