8T.2108.4.1 is the third official incarnation of Something New in Canada in the 8-Track format. This variation was issued in stereo. This variation is recognized by its new black Lear Jet shell and black slick. The shells have a slightly different shape and have company markings on the back.
Availability
This variation was available between mid-1973 and 1976 (for approximately 3 years), when Capitol moved 8-Track production in house (see variation 5).
General Information
Around mid-1973, Capitol decided to subcontract Lear Jet to produce its 8-track tape shells, replacing Ampex. In practice, these new shells were manufactured by a Toronto-based company, Hardman Industries, which produced 8-tracks for Capitol (and other clients) under license for Lear Jet, the company widely credited with standardizing the 8-track format as we know it today.
These shells can be identified by a shorter gripper cavity, shorter slot lines on the top of the shell, and the presence of a larger recessed area on the back marked “LearJet.” They are found with both Canadian and U.S. artwork slicks and were used until approximately 1976. U.S. slicks from this period continued to feature the earlier dome logo, rather than the “target” logo normally used at that time.
Pressing Information
Capitol of Canada subcontracted Hardman Industries Limited, under license from Lear Jet, to manufacture the next series of Canadian Beatles 8-track tapes. Bill Lear (best known for the Learjet aircraft) also played a key role in the development of the 8-track format. Building on earlier cartridge systems (such as the Muntz cartridge), Lear, in collaboration with companies like Ampex, helped refine the design into the standardized 8-track format we know today. This evolution notably involved integrating key mechanical components directly into the cartridge shell, improving both stability and playback efficiency.
These Lear Jet licensed tapes were used by Capitol from approximately mid-1973 until 1976, when the company transitioned to in-house manufacturing.
8T.2108.4.1 has markings as follows:
• Black plastic shell
• Short gripper cavity
• A wide shaped slot with Lear Jet markings
• 5 clip holes holding the two halves of the shell together
• Black paper slick (USA or Canada artwork)
Cover and packaging
The Lear Jet tapes were packaged in the same standardized generic slipcase as previous variations, featuring either "Capitol" or "Apple" text and logos. Earlier models appear to have been made from a thicker, darker cardboard (left), whereas later versions used a thinner, almost white type of cardboard (right).
