Sony Honors the Walkman's 40th Anniversary With Tribute Exhibition and Video
A massive retrospective of portable audio.
Sony is taking us down a walk through memory lane with its celebration of the 40th anniversary of the company’s super-iconic Walkman series with a tribute video and exhibition.
The first Walkman debuted in July 1, 1979, revolutionizing the world of portable music and audio. This first model — the TPS L2 — would go on to sell over 400 million units across the world, leaving its mark on a whole generation of music lovers — but it didn’t stop there. In 2014, the OG cassette player made a comeback in Marvel‘s hit blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, where Christ Pratt‘s character Peter Quill was seen using the TPS L2 to play his mother’s “Awesome Mix” tape filled with ’70s and ’80s jams. The cultural icon quickly made a resurgence on eBay, selling for as high as $6,200 USD.
Sony’s current exhibition — located in its Tokyo Ginza hub — is called “#009 Walkman in the Park” and showcases 230 Walkman models, ranging from the first TPS L2 to more current ones. The Walkmans aren’t just on display: viewers can also listen to tracks on them for a truly nostalgic experience. Speaking about the exhibition and the Walkman line during a media preview, President of Sony Daisuke Nagano said that “Walkman is the strongest representative of the company, and the products have shaped the unique, creative and innovative Sony brand.” He continued, “Customers’ memories generated through our Walkman product are what we should always keep in mind regardless of how the company proceeds to survive in this highly competitive business field with the presence of free music apps out there.”
Along with the exhibition is a tribute clip shot by the Japanese consumer electronics company, which you can view below, also showcasing a massive range of the most iconic Walkmans over the years. For audiophiles or analog enthusiasts in the area, be sure to visit Sony Ginza Park for the exhibition. Entry is free and the exhibition will be on until September 1.
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