Answer: Jets

Bill Lear, founder of the Learjet Corporation, was continually focused on refining and improving the experience of passengers in his jets. Among the many things he researched and worked on was an alternative to the record player in order to provide jet passengers with smooth and skip-free music during their flights.

Lear’s efforts were largely unsuccessful until one of his designers, Richard Kraus, built the first 8-track player (which was heavily informed by the cartridge design of George Eash and the work of Earl “Madman” Muntz with his smaller, lesser-known 4-track cartridges).

In 1964, the Learjet Corporation constructed and distributed 100 demonstration models to recording and automotive executives in a bid to drum up interest and support for the new format. Lear’s efforts to introduce a new format were successful and soon 8-track players were in use in his jets as well as cars and homes across America.