back in july 1st, 1979, SONY debuted the WALKMAN®, introducing to the world a new way to enjoy high-quality music, anywhere, anytime. the series of portable media players began with a cassette player envisioned by SONY’s cofounder masaru ibuka, who thought the existing portable player was cumbersome and expensive. from there, the japanese company sold over 400 million units around the world.
to celebrate the WALKMAN 40th anniversary, SONY has opened an exhibition in tokyo’s bustling ginza district.
all images courtesy of SONY
titled #009 WALKMAN IN THE PARK 40 years since the day the music walked, the exhibition focuses on the people for whom the WALKMAN has been a part of their everyday life. the show, which is divided into two parts, begins with ‘my story, my walkman’ — sharing walkman episodes from the lives of 40 celebrities, and continues with the ‘walkman wall’, featuring around 230 versions of the WALKMAN throughout its 40-year history. from the nostalgic older models, all the way up to the latest models, the exhibit allows visitors to take in the changes in designs, specifications, and media formats over the years.
overturning the common conception at the time that music was something to be enjoyed indoors, the walkman blazed a new trail into personalized experiences, much more common today with music streaming services and mobile devices. the exhibition program celebrates the original experience by sharing various changes the walkman has undergone through technological advancements and playful imagination over the years.
project info:
duration: july 1 (mon) – september 1 (sun), 2019, free admission
open hours: 10:00 – 20:00
venue: ginza sony park, gl/ground level – b4/basement 4
url: https://www.ginzasonypark.jp/e/program/015/
organizer: ginza sony park, sony home entertainment & sound products inc.
sony (49 articles)
sony unveils 40th anniversary walkman with retro casette screensaver
sony and yamaha design driverless cart that doubles up as mobile advertising board
sony to launch wearable air conditioner that fits in your pocket
step into the future of robotics with sony at milan design week 2019
sony finds affinity in autonomy robotics at milan design week 2019
photographers capture the world's most incredible phenomena
video news
ettore sottsass on calmness in unreleased video footage from 2000
#video
the legendary, late italian architect, designer, and founder of the memphis group realized a monumental body of work over a career spanning more than six decades.
the legendary, late italian architect, designer, and founder of the memphis group realized a monumental body of work over a career spanning more than six decades.
apple introduces three new iPhones, including the first ever 'pro' model
#video
'the most powerful and advanced smartphones ever'.
'the most powerful and advanced smartphones ever'.
HKS employs local workers and materials to build sustainable maternity unit in uganda
#video
interlocking soil-stabilized blocks, the predominant building material, were handmade on site, using locally arising murrum mixed with cement in a brick press.
interlocking soil-stabilized blocks, the predominant building material, were handmade on site, using locally arising murrum mixed with cement in a brick press.
milton glaser: rare unreleased video interview with the graphic designer (2000)
#video
as designboom celebrates 20 years online, we present a series of 'retro' videos, here spotlighting acclaimed graphic designer milton glaser.
as designboom celebrates 20 years online, we present a series of 'retro' videos, here spotlighting acclaimed graphic designer milton glaser.
