1st July 1979: Sony Corporation releases the Walkman portable cassette player in Japan

Officially named the TPS-L2, the Walkman allowed users to listen to music through lightweight headphones while on the move, marking a significant shift in how people consumed audio media. The idea came from Sony co-founder Masaru Ibuka who wanted a device that would let him listen to music during long international flights. As a result engineers modified the existing Pressman tape recorder, which was originally intended for journalists, to remove the recording function and add stereo playback. The result was a lightweight, battery-powered player with a dual headphone output.

At its launch, the Walkman was marketed with the slogan “This is the product that will change the way people listen to music.” While retailers were unsure about the demand for a playback-only cassette device, Sony conducted street demonstrations and distributed units to celebrities and influencers. The approach proved effective and the Walkman sold over 30,000 units in Japan within its first two months.

Following its domestic success, the Walkman was released internationally where it quickly gained popularity among young consumers. The Walkman contributed to the growth of cassette tape sales and played a key role in the trend toward personal, portable music consumption. By the early 1980s, it had become a global symbol of mobility and modern lifestyle.

The Walkman was a significant innovation in audio technology and personal electronics and paved the way for later devices such as portable CD players, MP3 players, and smartphones. The original TPS-L2 model has since become a valuable collector’s item.