A unique combination of radio and tape deck in a youthful, chic design — that’s the RCA Baby 8, designed by OPI Milano studio and launched in 1971. It’s like a small, innovative handheld jukebox for anyone who wanted to have music always within reach.

The device features a Stereo 8 tape player (the so-called 8-track cartridge), which was mass-produced until the early 1980s, and some companies continued offering it in small batches until the mid-80s — mostly for collectors by then. The cartridge didn’t have traditional fast-forward or rewind; the tape ran in an endless loop, simply starting over again once it finished playing.

The tape moved at 3.75 inches per second, twice the speed of a regular compact cassette, which allowed for excellent sound quality.

Thanks to its construction, the cartridge was ideal for car audio systems — no rewinding, no fuss, just music for the road. That’s why it caught on best in that setting.