Cassette tapes are slowly making a comeback. The format sold 219,000 in 2018, as opposed to 178,000 in 2017, and are still on the rise this year. This demand has unfortunately gotten ahead of the production of high grade gamma ferric oxide, which is used to make tapes. It's not exactly because the Earth has run out of making high grade gamma ferric oxide, but because the main manufacturer of the stuff is under renovation in 2019… and who the hell knew that cassettes would be coming back?
According to National Audio Company, Inc. by way of record label Hansu Mountain, the production of cassettes is temporarily delayed until there's more high grade gamma ferric oxide. Which will be happening in October, specifically 11 tons of it! So maybe give your boomboxes a rest for a little bit and go break out the vinyl.
Some of the cassette manufacturing people that I've talked to about this haven't gotten this letter. I think it's probably good for all to see.
SIRI. ALEXA. LEXA. How do I mine high grade gamma ferric oxide from the earth? LEXA! Ferric oxide! with Gamma? PRECIOUS METALS!? SIRI! pic.twitter.com/rCeAImJQqh
— Hausu Mountain (@HausuMountain) October 9, 2019