When Was Magnetic Tape Invented?
Magnetic tape was invented by a number of individuals and companies over the course of time. While the original designs were developed by German inventors and companies, further advances were made by other European and American companies. Ultimately, magnetic tape became the core technology used in both the audio and video industries before being largely replaced by digital recording.
Preliminary Work
Vlademar Poulsen invented the telegraphone in 1898. This was the first device to utilize magnetic recording techniques. Poulsen use a magnetized wire spool to record and play back information. His device sent the wire through a recording head, which used an electric signal to magnetize analog information onto the wire. This caused the sound to be recorded onto the wire, allowing users to play back the information at a later time.
Early Designs
During the late 1920s, German inventor Fritz Pfleumer developed a way to fit cigarette papers with metal strips. Although the invention had limited uses, he theorized that a similar structure could be used to contain magnetic recordings. In 1928, he advanced the techniques of magnetic recording established by Poulsen. Pfleumer coated long strips of paper with iron oxide. Three years later, he allowed the German General Electricity Company to continue to develop his patent.
Advancements
To make use of Pfleumer's invention, the German General Electricity Company, known nationally as AEG, developed a consumer-ready recording machine in the early 1930s. BASF was given the rights to manufacture the tape to be used in the recording machine. Early designs featured a needle-shaped tape head, however, this design shredded the tape. Eduard Schuller developed a new design in 1933 that featured a ring-shaped tape head. At the same time, AC biasing was discovered. This improved the overall fidelity of the audio signal in both recording and playback.
World War II
One major facet of this technology is the fact that it was limited to the markets in Germany. Throughout World War II, the Nazi government used the magnetic tape technology to aid in broadcasts throughout Europe. The Allies were able to identify the existence of a new technique, however, analysts were unable to determine the nature of the invention. Following the war, American companies adopted the technology and began to attempt improvements.
Commercialization
Throughout the mid-20th century, a number of new designs for magnetic tape were developed by American and European companies. Since the designs were confiscated at the end of the war, patents were not recognized, making a wide variety of recorders and different formats available to the public during the period. Ultimately, the most significant designs were the reel-to-reel and compact cassette. Reel-to-reel used a concept in which two large wheels were placed between a magnetic head. One reel transferred its supply of magnetic tape to the other, passing through the head and becoming magnetized. The compact cassette was designed by Philips and released to the public in 1963. Soon, the technology was adapted to video technology.
Related Posts:
What Is Magnetic Tape Used For
Magnetic tape is one of the oldest methods of magnetic recording still in use today. Loosely based on the idea of magnetic wire recording, magnetic tape has been in use for over fifty years and ha...
The History Of Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tape has come a long way since it was first invented. Surprisingly, it is much older than the 8-Track most commonly associated with it. Magnetic tape was first used for military purposes...
The Effects Of A Magnet On A Magnetic Tape Recording
For many decades, magnetic tape has been an important medium for recording and retrieving audio, video and computer data. With technological advances in recording and storage, new types of storage...
How Does Magnetic Tape Work
Magnetic tape and tape recorders have been with us since the 1930s. Although magnetic tape has seen dozens of changes over the years, the basic ideas remain the same.A magnetic tape has three basi...
Magnetic Tape Facts
Magnetic tapes are similar in operation and function to tape recorder cassettes.Magnetic tapes are mass storage devices capable of backing up and retaining large volumes of data. They are classifi...
