The Magnetophon: The Hi-Fi Tape Recorder That Changed Radio Forever

Hi-Fi Tape Recorder Changed Radio Forever

In 1935, AEG's Magnetophon debuted at the Berlin Radio Show, introducing high-fidelity magnetic tape recording. Its sound quality was so good that listeners couldn't tell live broadcasts from prerecorded ones. During WWII, the Nazis used it to broadcast Hitler's speeches from different locations. After the war, U.S. engineer Jack Mullin brought the technology to America, where Bing Crosby invested in Ampex to develop a commercial version. Crosby's use of the Magnetophon to prerecord his radio show not only revolutionized broadcasting but also led to the invention of the laugh track.