Tackling the awkward squad: monadic input/output

A tape recording system has a capstan with a thin low friction metallic ring forming a tape engaging surface. A compressible ring is mounted behind the metallic ring. The entire capstan penetrates into the cassette to engage the tape, and the surface of the capstan metallic ring is bounded by flanges to guide and hold the tape onto the ring. The tape take-up within the cassette presses the outermost layer of tape against the tape engaging surface of the metal ring, forming a friction drive for the take-up. A link system interconnects the supply and the take-up to maintain the outermost layer of the supply a slight distance from the capstan when the take-up is against the capstan. When the take-up is withdrawn from the capstan, the tape slips on the low friction surface of the capstan, thus avoiding pile-up and breakage of the tape. A center point and socket system supports the capstan for accurate, low friction rotation about its axis.