Definition
A magnetic tape cartridge format that played eight parallel tracks of audio, popular in cars and home stereos from the late 1960s through 1980s. It offered longer playing time than vinyl but was notorious for its bulky size, tendency to warp in heat, and abrupt track transitions that could occur mid-song.
Example Usage
My dad's old pickup truck still has a working 8-track player with some classic rock cartridges rattling around in the glove box.
Origin
Developed by Bill Lear (of Learjet fame) in the early 1960s; the format peaked during the 1970s before being displaced by cassettes.
Fun Fact
8-tracks famously had four two-track sides, so songs longer than the tape's segment length would be arbitrarily split across sides, often pausing awkwardly mid-note.
Related Terms
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