In the beginning, the tapes were lavishly packaged and definitely got everyone’s attention.

First editions were elaborate vacuum formed white plastic with a hard clear sliding back so you could see the song titles (or maybe a bonus photo?) The covers were printed paper with reconfigured original album art scaled to fit the smaller area.

Second editions replace the clear with an opaque snap on back and printed song titles so you could follow along with the tape in the player.

Neither of these proved to be practical and only lasted the first couple of years. Although pretty to look at, they didn’t travel well and were prone to breakage. Opening into two separate pieces, they were hard to keep together, with many packages getting separated from the tape, and in the process getting lost to the fog of time…

By 1969 the bulky plastic was replaced with the cardboard photo box, open on one end, the tape sliding out with ease. The graphics were bold and attractive, keeping the tape clean from the elements, the song titles easier to read with the tape in the machine.

1971 brought the window box, which was more utilitarian and a huge cost saving for the manufacturers.

It did away with the more elaborate package, and quietly ended the era.

Cheers!