Unspooling the magic of Lou Ottens, an unsung hero
The inventor of the cassette tape has left the building but the mixtape will not be forgotten
Mathures Paul
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Published 15.03.21, 12:22 AM
Many readers will remember cassettes with a certain amount of disdain. It almost obliterated the pure sound of vinyl (only to receive a similar treatment from CDs). The cases cracked easily. And it unspooled unceremoniously inside the player. At the same time, it championed three qualities. Portability. Affordability. Disposability. Ah well, the last mentioned is not exactly a quality. Be that as it may, the tape changed the music game for decades. With the death of its inventor, Lou Ottens, a chapter in music history has ended.