Make: Online : How-To: 8-track walkman

How-To: 8-track walkman

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.

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Posted by: Steve Anderson on July 23, 2009 at 12:18 PM

I feel duty bound to point out that Philips' Compact Cassette was introduced for sale in Europe in 1963, and the Stereo 8 (aka 8-track cartridge) developed in the US in 1964 (albeit based on earlier tape cartridge systems), so XenonJohn - insane genius that he is - has his history even more muddle than his creation...

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Posted by: Raymond Vislenio on July 23, 2009 at 2:58 PM

It's nostalgic seeing this 8-track. Now I really, really want that walkman.

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