[AV Media Matters] Question on Ampex tape boxes

[rohre@ARLUT.UTEXAS.EDU]

Does anyone remember when Ampex instumentation tapes first came out
with the grey and black cardboard reel boxes?

And isn't the handwritten 5 digit no. on these box labels, the year
of manufacture followed by Julian day?  (I know the other longer
handwritten no. was likely the web and production slitting
information.)

Trying to establish how old a particular tape might be.  Part is in
good condition (winding), after 25 years at least! (Might be older).

Stuart Rohre
U TX Applied Research Labs