The missing tape size

摘要

As a young chap in the 1960s I used to collect and pore over hi-fi leaflets. Among them would have been brochures from Ferrograph that featured reel-to-reel recorders using the 'Wearite' deck. This deck was also used by Vortexion, which I strongly fancied, but couldn't afford. One feature of these decks was that they accommodated what was then a large tape reel size of 8 1/4in. This was a fair bit bigger than the then standard 7in. We had not yet been introduced to the large NAB spools. Because of Ken Kessler's interest in pre-recorded tapes, I searched to see if any had been recorded on this 8 1/4in spool, but couldn't find any. In fact, I could find no mention of this size at all. I know I have had them in my possession many years ago but can now find no trace. Even the vintage images of Ferrograph never show this large spool. Did I dream it?