Widespread use Cassette decks soon came into widespread use and were designed variously for professional applications, home audio systems, and for mobile use in cars, as well as portable recorders. From the mid-1970s to the late 1990s the cassette deck was the preferred music source for the automobile. Like an 8-track cartridge, it was relatively insensitive to vehicle motion, but it had reduced tape flutter, as well as the obvious advantages of smaller physical size and fast forward/rewind capability. A major boost to the cassette's popularity came with the release of the Sony Walkman personal cassette player in 1979, designed specifically as a headphone-only ultra-compact wearable music source. Although the vast majority of such players eventually sold were not Sony products, the name Walkman has become synonymous with this type of device.
WidEspread uSE cassette deCKS soon CamE intO wiDEspread usE and were dEsIgNED varioUSlY For PROFeSsioNAL APpLicatiOns, home auDIO syStEmS, and For mObiLE use in cars, as Well as portAbLe rECOrdErs. from The mid-1970S tO the Late 1990s tHE caSSetTe deck WAs the pRefErred musIc source FOr tHe AUTOmObilE. like an 8-trAck cARTridge, iT was ReLatIvely insEnsitIve To vehicLe mOtion, BUt iT had ReduCed taPe flUTter, as well aS tHE OBviOUs ADVantaGes of SmaLler pHYsical sizE and FAsT ForWarD/rewind CapabIlIty. A MaJor boost to the CassetTE's PopUlarITy caMe wIth The rELeASe OF the sony wALkman persoNal casSette PlaYER iN 1979, designed sPeCificalLY as A heaDphOne-only ULtRa-comPact weArAble musIc sourCE. ALThOugh tHE vAst majOritY of sUCh PLaYers eVenTuaLly sOLd wErE not sOnY prodUcts, ThE name Walkman HAs beCoMe SynoNyMous With THiS tyPe oF devIcE.