During the eighties and early nineties, one of the key moments of adolescence was hearing and creating the first audio cassette. Nowadays, adolescents would tell you that they first discovered music on a CD or MP3. There are still many people who remember the days before digital music became common.

Invention of audiocassettes opened the door for a new world of music. Now, we are in a position to take our music from our homes with a lot of mobility and use it in our cars and even while walking. This has started a sort of a music revolution and we are able to enjoy the music without risking the same damages we had discovered with vinyl.

But cassette tapes had their own challenges to ownership. Susceptible to damage, the frail ribbon was prone to tangling or twisting, which often led to a premature demise, and thus a frustrated listener. The natural order of things dictated that audio cassettes withstood more than vinyl LP's, but were soon to be passed over by CDs.

My friends and I were discussing our most memorable experiences with TDK audio cassettes. A particular friend said she used tape with a recording of her mother's lullabies to comfort her as a child. Another recounted that his elder brother would send him mix tapes from home when he was at university. I have no doubt that nearly everyone has similar memories from their youth associated with audio cassettes.

There was once a time where audio cassettes and CDs lived in harmony, but that day has come to a slow end. CDs, while blatantly more useful, were also more expensive. But as their prices dropped, so did the popularity of the audio cassette. The fact that the CD possesses the functionality to repeat, and search for songs, makes it more useful, and that fact that they are cheaper means the day of the cassette tape is at an end.

Technology always offers us new things, but the audio cassette will always be remembered fondly. The cassette played an important role in the way music technology developed. It lasted and is still used today. Although the cassette will never be what it was, those who used it will always hold a special place in their hearts for it.