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Sony Walkman

A pocket cassette player that Sony launched in July 1979 and that sold about 220 million cassette units.

In March 1979, at the request of Masaru Ibuka, Sony's audio department turned the small Pressman recorder that journalists used into a smaller cassette player. Under Akio Morita, Sony launched the Walkman in July 1979.

Sony began selling it worldwide in February 1980. By 2010 Sony had sold about 220 million cassette Walkman units, and about 400 million Walkman devices of all kinds.

Why it matters

The Walkman made private, portable music an everyday habit. Sony later added CD models and sold about 400 million Walkman devices in all.

Key facts

  • Launched in July 1979.
  • Built from the journalist's Pressman recorder at Masaru Ibuka's request.
  • Sold worldwide from February 1980.
  • About 220 million cassette units sold before production ended in 2010.
  • About 400 million devices of all kinds by 2010.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Sony Walkman", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Walkman, accessed October 14, 2026.
  2. Wikipedia, "Sony", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony, background reading, accessed October 14, 2026.