The Original Sony Walkman

Pictured in the middle below is the TPS-L2, the very first Walkman. So early is this example that it is not even labeled “Walkman,” as is the slightly later model TPS-L2 you see to the right. At left is the pre-Walkman TCM-600 introduced in 1978 as the world's smallest tape recorder for standard cassettes. For more on the Sony Walkman and other pioneering personal music players, go here.