Panasonic Cassette Tape Recorder, circa 1970

The cassette format was introduced by Philips in 1965, initially marketed for business dictation. Despite offering lower recording quality than open reel tapes, the cassette's portability was attractive. They quickly became popular as a music recording and playback medium. Improvements in noise reduction, tape quality, and the convenience of portable players soon allowed the cassette to surpass vinyl record sales.