Univac introduced a metal substrate tape and tape recorder for computer digital recording in 1951.

FORBES: Magnetic Tape Turns 60

This year, 2012, digital plastic substrate magnetic tape turns 60 years old.

FORBES: Magnetic Tape Turns 60

However with the introduction of lighter weight and more flexible plastic substrate magnetic tapes, combined with a vacuum column to control the tension that the magnetic tape experiences during use, the IBM 726 was a prototype of the modern digital tape recording system.

FORBES: Magnetic Tape Turns 60