Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Walkman Turns 30; Sony Isn't Celebrating

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2009 11:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Walkman turns 30 today, but Sony isn’t exactly celebrating, writes Peter Kafka of All Things Digital. Apart from a special exhibit at Sony’s archive in Tokyo—which seems more like a funeral than a birthday party—Sony’s letting the milestone pass quietly. The device has been badly outsold by the iPod in recent years, and with a restructuring looming, partying probably seemed gauche.

"Sony views the Walkman’s birthday as a lot of middle-aged people view their birthdays," Kafka theorizes, "Markers of bygone eras and missed opportunities."

In this Feb. 2, 1982 file photo,  Sony Corp. Chairman Akio Morita laughs during a meeting where he displays a Walkman in Tokyo, Japan.
In this Feb. 2, 1982 file photo, Sony Corp. Chairman Akio Morita laughs during a meeting where he displays a Walkman in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Neal Ulevich, File)
Posters advertising Sony Corp.'s Walkman are exhibited at a special display that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.
Posters advertising Sony Corp.'s Walkman are exhibited at a special display that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Sony Corp.'s first Walksman is shown at a special display commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Sony Archive building  in Tokyo, Japan.
Sony Corp.'s first Walksman is shown at a special display commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
A Sony employee looks at Walkmans at a special display commemorating the handy music player's 30th anniversary, opening today at the Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.
A Sony employee looks at Walkmans at a special display commemorating the handy music player's 30th anniversary, opening today at the Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Altoecko
Jul 2, 2009 8:58 AM CDT
I was kinda sad that Minidisc players didn't catch on. I bought mine cheap for $40 and I got enough discs to carry all my music for about $20 bucks more. Sure it was bulkier than an iPod but I beat the living hell out of that thing and it worked regardless.

More Newser Stories

Whitney Album Price Nearly Doubles on iTunes

10 Notable Bands With Only 1 Album

Poe Fans Hope Mystery Birthday Visitor Shows

Ill Stephen Hawking Misses 70th Birthday

How Spotify's Boss Can Save Music


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne