It was once a staple in every radio station, but how did reel-to-reel tape machines come to be? The history of these industry workhorses starts in Nazi Germany, and travels all the way to the U.S. where it attracted the attention of Bing Crosby, who ran into fierce resistance about using it to record his popular radio show. 

And it even led to the creation of the laugh track. 

The story behind the "Magnetophon" is a complicated but fascinating one you've probably never heard before. But it's worth a rewind and a replay. 

This Hi-Fi Tape Recorder Changed Radio Forever